FORT SILL, Okla. -- The Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill welcomed a new command sergeant major during a combined change of responsibility, retreat and farewell ceremony Jan. 28, outside McNair Hall.
Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Morrisey, most recently the CSM for the 428th Field Artillery Brigade here, took the reins from CSM Joseph Smith, who will be going to Afghanistan.
The late-afternoon ceremony featured the 77th U.S. Army Band, Fort Sill Field Artillery Half-Section, a joint color guard from 434th FA Brigade and Marine Corps FA Detachment, a flag detail from the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade and an invocation by Master Sgt. Marva Rogers, Installation Chaplain's Office noncommissioned officer in charge.
"Heavenly Father ... we are so grateful that you blessed us with the leadership of Command Sergeant Major Smith. We know that one of the most valuable gifts that you can give is a good leader," Rogers said.
Maj. Gen. David Halverson, FCoE and Fort Sill commanding general, hosted the 35-minute ceremony. He congratulated Morrisey and thanked and praised Smith for his ministrations.
"It's great to have you on the team," Halverson told Morrisey, and his wife, Donna. "I know you'll lead from the front, I know you'll be that backbone and I know you'll provide that great leadership that our Fires Soldiers and their families need."
Morrisey, who has been at the 428th FA the past couple years, said he and Donna were proud to remain part of the Fort Sill family, and that he was excited about the opportunity to lead Soldiers.
One thing that remains constant in the Army is that it charges its leaders to train Soldiers to the highest standards, he said.
"Soldiers' lives and the life of our nation demands it," he said, "and, no one does it better than Team Sill."
"I stand here before you today committed to build on that standard of excellence," Morrisey said.
During the ceremony, Halverson presented Smith with the Legion of Merit for inspired leadership and vision and for transitioning the Air Defense Artillery community from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Fort Sill. Smith's wife, Sue, was presented with the Commander's Award for Civilian Service for exceptionally dedicated service to numerous Fires Center of Excellence organizations and Lawton-Fort Sill.
Halverson acknowledged Smith as a rare NCO who brings energy and passion to soldiering.
The NCO Creed's two foremost responsibilities are accomplishment of mission and welfare of one's Soldiers, Halverson said.
"Command Sergeant Major Smith epitomizes both of those," he said.
In his remarks, Smith said Fires Soldiers embody the best in our nation and they exemplify the Warrior Ethos as the Army endures the 10th year of war.
"The Fires Soldier today is more adaptive and versatile than ever," Smith said. "Not only do our men and women shoot rockets, missiles, cannons, artillery, but they also provide the critical support to sustain the most lethal and effective fires support system in the world."
Smith thanked all the Fort Sill leaders, service members and his family.
"To my wife, Sue, my son George and to (daughter) Mary, whose husband prepares to deploy: You have supported me, you've never complained despite the numerous deployments, PCS moves around the world-thank you."
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