Acquisitions NCO appointed as career field's first command sergeant major

By Rachel Clark, 409th Contracting Support BrigadeOctober 19, 2011

Acquisitions NCO appointed as career field's first command sergeant major
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Bentura Fernandez, the command sergeant major of the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, gives remarks during his appointment ceremony on Oct. 6 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Fernandez is the first noncommissioned officer from the acqu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Acquisitions NCO appointed as career field's first command sergeant major
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Debra D. Daniels, the commander of the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, swears in Command Sgt. Maj. Bentura Fernandez, the command sergeant major of the 409th Contracting Support Bde., Oct. 6 during his formal appointment ceremony to command s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - For the first time in Army history, the military contracting profession appointed its first command sergeant major during a formal appointment ceremony, here at the Armstrong Club Oct 6.

Sgt. Maj. Bentura Fernandez, the senior enlisted advisor for the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, was appointed as the first command sergeant major from the ranks of the acquisition, logistics and technology contracting career management field. As a result of the appointment, Fernandez became the first command sergeant major of the 409th CSB.

Fernandez was joined by friends, family, staff, fellow command sergeants major, general officers, as well as the noncommissioned officers that serve the 409th CSB. While making his remarks, Fernandez reflected on Army life, and all the support he received through the years.

"I want to say a special thank you to my wife, Antonnete, who has been with me through multiple deployments, as well as two wars," said Fernandez. "She has raised our children, maintained our home, and I couldn't have done it without her."

Fernandez is one of the most senior NCOs in contracting. He began his military career in automated logistics when he joined the Army in 1985. In 1999 as a sergeant first class, Fernandez was picked to be a purchasing agent for an assignment in Qatar, thus making the move into the world of contracting.

Fernandez never knew this would be his path, or that he would be the first acquisitions NCO appointed as a command sergeant major.

"It has amazed me to watch the changes in contracting over the years, and how the evolution has reflected on NCOs," commented Fernandez. "Today's NCOs are more educated, and as it stands today, most NCO's make a conscious decision to join the contracting profession. I think contracting has come a long way."The acquisition, logistics and technology contracting military occupation specialty for NCOs is a fairly new field, with its inception in 2006. Prior to being an MOS, contracting positions were embedded into different military specialties.

Rising to the position of command sergeant major is no easy feat. While the position is a lateral move for a sergeant major, a rigorous selection program is carried out by the Army to determine which sergeants major attain command sergeant major.

"The senior enlisted advisor for a contracting organization requires a depth of experience in planning operations, creating policy as well as providing contracting guidance to commanders and contracting officers," remarked Col. Debra D. Daniels, the 409th CSB commander.

There are now command sergeant major positions at both the brigade and battalion levels in contracting organizations, with Fernandez being the first appointee. Now having acquisition NCOs in the senior enlisted advisor positions affords contracting NCOs the opportunity to serve in the Army at a higher level.

"They will have obtained the experience, expertise and knowledge as they climb the contracting ladder through garrison and contingency contracting commands throughout their career," stated Fernandez.

"The Army acquisition force will benefit from a command sergeant major with an acquisition background. We are truly better for having Sgt. Maj. Fernandez as part of our team," remarked Daniels.

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