Fort Irwin Garrison receives new command sergeant major

FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- On a clear, breezy morning on this High Desert military installation, Fort Irwin United States Army Garrison welcomed its new command sergeant major, Nov. 15.

Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Esmurria took the top non-commissioned officer post during a change of responsibility ceremony at the garrison headquarters in front of leaders, Families, civilians and distinguished visitors.

During the ceremony, steeped in military traditions, Garrison Commander Col. Jon Braga received a non-commissioned officer sword from Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Perez and passed it to Esmurria to signify the transition. Perez served at Garrison for 16 months. His next assignment takes him to the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Esmurria's previous assignment was in Camp Casey, South Korea where he served as the command sergeant major for 210th Fires Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He is no stranger to the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, having served here previously with Wolf Team, Operations Group as senior command sergeant major at Fire Support Division.

Speaking at the ceremony, Esmurria thanked Perez and Braga for a warm welcome, hospitality and sponsorship that he and his wife, Yolanda received.

"Today I feel truly humbled by this opportunity the Army has given me to serve as the Garrison command sergeant major at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin," Esmurria said.

For this current assignment, Esmurria arrived weeks in advance and soon met with various directorates that make up the Garrison organization. Esmurria said that he was proud to be part of the Garrison team, who will continue to make Fort Irwin a positive experience for Soldiers, their families and the civilian workforce.

Braga addressed the audience and thanked them for attending the event honoring two fine, American non-commissioned officers. He spoke of the significance of the symbolism portrayed in the ceremony by the unit colors and the NCO sword.

"Colors have always been a place of honor that people fought for," Braga said. "What's important about that is the command sergeant major is responsible for those two entities -- the sword and those colors."

The Garrison commander praised Esmurria for his passion and dedication, adding that Esmurria will be part of an organization with similar qualities.

"He is a Soldier to the bone," Braga said. "He's passionate about his craft, his profession. That same type of dedication that you hold, Carlos -- I know you hold inside your core -- is the same type of dedication you've got from the Garrison team … it's the same level of dedication they have every day and you guys are going to be a great match. You're going to be inspired by the team behind you and around you … It's a heck of ride and I couldn't ask for a better match moving forward here."

Later that week, Esmurria spoke about his goals at Fort Irwin, which include providing high quality service to the community.

"That's my main priority -- creating a positive experience for the Soldier and his family when they come to Fort Irwin," Esmurria said. "That's what I want to enhance, that's what I want to create, and we already have that to some extent -- I just want to make it better."

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in New Jersey, Esmurria enlisted in the Army in August 1984 as a field artillery cannon crewman. His awards include a Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters. He has ribbons for service in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He holds two bachelor's degrees and is currently completing a master's degree in organizational leadership.