FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 16, 2015) -- The 1st Engineer Brigade welcomed its newest senior noncommissioned officer Monday.
Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Holschbach took responsibility as the senior enlisted leader for the brigade during an assumption-of-responsibility ceremony in the John. B. Mahaffey Museum Complex's Engineer Regimental Room.
Col. Heather Warden, 1st Engr. Bde. commander, emphasized the importance of Holschbach's responsibility.
"Today Command Sergeant Major Holschbach officially assumes responsibility as the senior noncommissioned officer with the brigade, an assignment wherein he has been entrusted with the privilege to lead America's finest and provide advice within the most diverse engineer brigade within the Army."
Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Holschbach accepts the NCO sword from Col. Heather Warden, 1st Engineer Brigade commander.
Holschbach is no stranger to the brigade's mission. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as a heavy equipment operator on post. Holschbach later returned as a drill sergeant and then first sergeant with the 169th Engineer Battalion.
"I am confident that he is ready for this opportunity," Warden said. "He is representative of the thousands of engineer Soldiers who we train daily within the brigade. He has held leadership positions at every level of command. Command Sergeant Major Holschbach brings a wealth of experience to the 1st Engineer Brigade team."
Holschbach, a Mishicot, Wisconsin, native, addressed the sergeants major and senior leaders who mentored him throughout his career.
"I am very humbled and thankful for this opportunity to serve as the command sergeant major of the 1st Engineer Brigade. This brigade has a rich history and heritage, and I am very proud to serve as the command sergeant major."
He thanked Sgt. Maj. Steven Jimenez, S-3 Operations noncommissioned officer-in-charge, for bridging the gap for nearly two months and making it a seamless transition.
He said he looks forward to serving with Warden and leading the brigade in the next chapter of its history, which dates back to World War II and the D-Day invasion at Normandy.
Holschbach said his priority is mission accomplishment and the welfare of Soldiers assigned to him.
The brigade includes the 31st Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Battalion, 169th Engineer Battalion, 554th Engineer Battalion and Headquarters and Headquarters Company and is responsible for the Sapper Leader Course.
"All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership," he said. "I will provide that leadership."
"I am privileged to carry the title Sapper 7 and understand the responsibility that comes with it," he added. "I am up to the task, and I look forward to serving as the command sergeant major."
Holschbach, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1988, came from Fort Hood, Texas, where he recently served as the G-5 Sergeant Major for III Corps.
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