FORT SILL, Okla. (April 9, 2015) -- Less than one year after assuming responsibility of the Fort Sill Garrison, Command Sgt. Maj. David Carr passed the duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Puckett Jr. during a change of responsibility ceremony March 30, outside McNair Hall.
Hundreds of service members, family and friends said good-bye to Carr, and welcomed Puckett, an infantryman, who was most recently assigned to Fort Benning, Ga. Carr will become CSM at Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In his invocation, Fort Sill Garrison Chaplain (Col.) Matthew Pawlikowski, said: "Lord God we give you thanks for the wide experience of Command Sergeant Major Carr at Fort Sill, which in this last position of his directly contributed to the safety, health and peaceful living conditions of all Soldiers, service members and civilians living and working here.
"We thank you for bringing us Command Sergeant Major Puckett, who now stands in the gap. Grant him a spirit of justice, compassion and a wider vision as he carries out his new duties."
Fort Sill Garrison Commander Col. Glenn Waters officiated the ceremony. He said the garrison was about to get its third command sergeant major in less than one year, but "the garrison was lucky to have three incredible command sergeants major."
Waters thanked Carr, who he said is about to set sail to GITMO. He described Carr as an exceptional, gifted leader.
"He understands how to lead, train and care for Soldiers, Marines and families," Waters said. "He clearly articulates, both orally and written, not just the garrison's point of view, but what is best for all stakeholders across this installation and the community.
"He pushed the bar and raised the standards for all while at the same time demonstrating his compassion for concern when he discovered issues with Soldiers, Marine and families thank you for that," Waters said.
Waters also thanked the Carr family.
First Lt. Leila Carr, an Army nurse, has positively affected the lives of many families and Soldiers at the garrison, Reynolds Army Community Hospital and a number of units across the post.
Waters welcomed Puckett, who he said, is new to Fort Sill, but "has much experience in leading our Soldiers in garrison and combat."
"Once again, the garrison is blessed -- we could not have asked for a better command sergeant major than he. Your records and successes are well known. I'm certain you are the best choice for this job, and I know that your previous experiences have prepared you well to meet the challenges as the garrison command sergeant major," Waters said.
Waters said he was anxious to meet the Puckett family, who will arrive here after the end of the school year.
During the ceremony, Fort Sill Honor Guard Commander 1st Sgt. Haywood Vines passed the noncommissioned officer's sword to Carr, who snapped the sword closed signifying his last act as the garrison CSM.
Carr then passed the sword to Waters, symbolizing the relinquishing of his duties. The colonel opened the sword to signify the start of Puckett's responsibilities and passed the sword to him, with the charge that he provide him with sound advice and to take care of the garrison family.
Puckett inspected the blade and sheathed the sword as his first act as the new CSM. Puckett then returned the sword to Vines.
Carr has been here since 1999, and became the garrison CSM in August. He said during his time here he was fortunate to be able to serve in Forces Command, Training and Doctrine Command and the Installation Management Command.
He said he was coached and mentored by individuals who had a huge impact on his development including Williams, Slate, Ramirez, Banister, Hall, Powell, Giles, Daughtery, Poindexter, Estep, McKiernan, Wiggins, Young, Moriarty, McDonald, Morrissey, Meredith, Rossi, Lindsey and Waters.
"We'd be here all morning if I attempted to identify all who had such a profound impact on my development," Carr said. "Let me just say, 'thank you' to all that believed and invested in me as a leader."
Carr said he believed the Army is all about taking care of people.
"People and taking care of people must be two of your highest priorities if you are to be successful," he said. "Your attitude, your spirit, your sense of purpose and the way you treat people makes all the difference in the world."
Carr concluded by thanking his family.
Puckett said he was looking forward to serving at Fort Sill.
"There is no great honor than leading, training Soldiers and taking care of families," Puckett said. "I have no doubt that Fort Sill will continue to excel and be one of the best installations."
PUCKETT'S BIO
Puckett is from Hendersonville, N.C., and a 1987 graduate of West Henderson High School. He enlisted in the Army in March 1989. He received his first Basic Combat, and Advanced Individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., as a heavy equipment operator.
After his first enlistment, he reclassified as an infantryman and attended Infantry One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga.
During his 26 years of service, Puckett has held numerous leadership positions including battalion CSM, operations sergeant major, committee chief, first sergeant, scout platoon sergeant, platoon sergeant and drill sergeant.
His military education includes: Command Sergeants Major Academy Class No. 61, ALC, SLC, WLC, Army Combatives, Sling Load Master, Small Group Instructor, Army Combatives and Master Fitness Trainer.
Puckett's awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Bronze Star w/2nd oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/3rd oak leaf, Army Commendation Medal w/5th oak leaf, Army Achievement Medal w/4th oak leaf, Army Good Conduct Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal w/star, Korean Defense Service, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal w/2 stars, Global War on Terrorism Service, NCO Professional Development (4), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Overseas Ribbon (4), Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Saudi Arabia Liberation of Kuwait Medal.
Social Sharing