Strengthening the ranks: 1st Infantry Division welcomes two to command team

By Mollie Miller, 1st Inf. Div. Public AffairsNovember 7, 2011

1st Infantry Division welcomes two to command team
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Caspian Gedney, 5, hugs his father, Brigadier Felix Gedney, while he greets guests following the Victory Honors Ceremony Nov. 3 in Victory Park. Gedney, the 1st Infantry Division's Deputy Commanding General for Transition, was welcomed during the cer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
1st Infantry Division welcomes two to command team
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brigadier Felix Gedney, 1st Inf. Div. Deputy Commanding General for Transition, Maj. Gen. William Mayville, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles V. Sasser, Jr., the division's senior noncommissioned of... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
1st Infantry Division welcomes two to command team
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The 1st Infantry Division command group grew by two Nov. 3 as the Big Red One officially welcomed Brigadier Felix Gedney and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles V. Sasser, Jr. to the Danger Team.

"Today we welcome two great military families, one from across the Atlantic Ocean and one from just across the state line in Colorado," Maj. Gen. William Mayville, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, said as he introduced Gedney and Sasser to the BRO family during a Victory Honors Ceremony in Victory Park on Fort Riley. "We are excited to have them both on board."

Gedney, a British army officer, comes to the division following an assignment as the assistant director for future plans within the United Kingdom's army headquarters. Mayville highlighted his new deputy's combat accomplishments, noting that Gedney has led troops in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. Mayville also announced that, as the deputy commanding general for transition, Gedney will oversee the Afghan National Security Forces' development in regional command east when the division headquarters deploys sometime next year.

"There are a number of things I have done in my military career (that) I am quite proud of but, to be honest, most of those have not been my achievements at all but times when everything falls into place and I was part of a great team," Gedney said. "I am sure that is what I will find within the 1st Division."

Calling his new assignment "a great honor," Gedney told the Soldiers, friends and Families of the Big Red One that they could expect from him a "full commitment to the 1st ID team" and a "relentless pursuit" of all division missions.

"Us Brits love history and tradition and I'm proud to be able to contribute in a small way to a formation with a history and record of service as distinguished as the Big Red One," he said.

Sasser, the 1st Inf.Div.'s 22nd command sergeant major, joins the Danger team following an assignment as the senior noncommissioned officer for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo. Mayville said he first noticed Sasser during a deployment to Afghanistan, recognizing in him exceptional leadership qualities and a Soldier and mission-focused drive.

"I knew then that he would make a great division command sergeant major but I never thought I would have the chance to pick him as my division command sergeant major here at the Big Red One," he said. "He will bring to the division energy, enthusiasm, standards and professionalism."

Sasser explained that he was proud to assume the role of the 1st Inf. Div.'s senior noncommissioned officer and noted that he was anxious to work on the behalf of every Soldier in the BRO family.

"I am thankful and blessed to have this great opportunity to be Danger 7," he said. "I am sure my time here will be nothing less than amazing."