HEIDELBERG, Germany -- U.S. Army garrison leaders from across Europe converged on Patrick Henry Village to welcome a new top noncommissioned officer during a ceremony here June 20.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Hartless assumed responsibility as the fifth command sergeant major of Installation Management Command Europe since its founding on Oct. 7, 2002.
Hartless is now the region's senior enlisted Soldier, and enlisted advisor to the Region Director Kathleen Marin.
"Since our founding, our Nation has asked much of our Army here in Europe both in combat and in transformation, making it one of the most challenging assignments anywhere," said Marin during the ceremony. "Indeed, while a tour in Europe opens up many possibilities to an excellent quality of life and world-class garrison support, it is a privilege often earned through service in important missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom."
"Since IMCOM Europe's founding, our Soldiers have answered the call of duty relentlessly, from the streets of Sadr City in Baghdad to the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan," said Marin.
Hartless has also answered that call, serving nearly 24 years of his 30-year career in airborne assignments, earning parachute badges from Italy, Jordan, Norway, Korea, Germany and Honduras. During a deployment to Afghanistan Hartless earned a Bronze Star for valor. In addition to his service in combat units, Hartless has worked at garrison assignments including U.S. Army Garrison Fort Polk and U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Hartless has an impeccable record of selfless service around the globe that spans nearly 30 years," said Marin. "Indeed, he has mastered the art of Soldiering and installation management as few others have."
The role of a command sergeant major is to advise and initiate recommendations to the commander and staff. The command sergeant major is also expected to function completely without supervision, and the command sergeant major's counsel is expected to be calm, mature and precise, but with boundless energy and enthusiasm, even in the worst of times.
"Command Sergeant Major, I am honored that you have again renewed your calling, indeed your purpose, to the vocation of serving Soldiers and their families," said Marin. "In carrying out the IMCOM Europe mission, only the best leadership will do, from our uniformed officers and NCOs to our civil servants.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Hartless, welcome to the IMCOM Europe family. As the NCO Creed says: All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership. I know you will provide that leadership."
Social Sharing