FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted leader for United States Army North (Fifth Army), Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. David Wood during a change of responsibility ceremony Nov. 28 at the historic Quadrangle.
Wood, who assumed the Army North's senior NCO position in November 2009, is retiring following 33 years of military service.
Rhodes comes to Army North from Vicenza, Italy, where he served as the command sergeant major for U.S. Army Africa.
"You will have my best effort every single day. We will not fail," he said to those attending the ceremony. "I look forward to serving all of you as we make this the best place to work in the Army."
Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, presided over the ceremony. He praised
Wood for his dedication to the Army, Army North and his Soldiers.
"Talk to anyone who's served with Command Sgt. Maj. Wood," said Caldwell. "You will find that he goes to great lengths to put those tanker boots on the ground with our men and women in the field.
"Dave Wood has truly been the epitome of a great noncommissioned officer. He is a Soldier's Soldier - from beginning to end. My sincere thanks for your 33 years of service. "
Caldwell also praised the selection of Rhodes as the incoming command sergeant major.
He said Rhodes is "just the right person to serve as (the) backbone for Army North. On top of his operational experience, he also has a lot of great experience in our institutional Army. He is the right person, at the right time, to help guide this organization."
Rhodes spent the majority of his career with the 75th Ranger Regiment and has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Panama and Somalia. He also served as the Commandant of U.S. Army Europe's noncommissioned officer academy as well as the command sergeant major of the Army's Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga.
"One of the things I love about this job," said Rhodes, "is I can look the people in the eye I am serving for - the American citizens."
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