FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 23, 2015) -- Community members welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Kristopher Cook as the new Fort Drum garrison senior enlisted adviser during an assumption of responsibility ceremony April 21 at the Commons.
Cook arrives at Fort Drum having recently served as command sergeant major for 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill, Okla.
Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, garrison commander, presided over the ceremony and introduced Cook to the audience.
"His deployment experience is in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was actually part of the initial invasion into Iraq, way back in the beginning with the 3rd Infantry Division," he said.
Cook's wife serves in the Air Force, and she is stationed in El Paso, Texas, with their three children. This, Rosenberg said, will make it a unique experience for the senior enlisted adviser.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Cook not only understands what Soldiers experience when deployed, he also understands what it does for Families," the garrison commander said. "He understands what it means to be a dual-military Family, and he understands what it means to be separated from his Family."
Rosenberg said Cook brings a wealth of experience and insight to Fort Drum, knowing what Soldiers need to be resilient and what Families need in support of their mission.
"I'll tell you something else," he said. "He is not afraid of work."
In the last three weeks, Rosenberg said, Cook has done everything he could to acclimate himself, to include inspecting every child development center, visiting barracks and introducing himself to community members.
"I know you're the right man for the job as we look to the future," he said. "And I know that, although you're separated from your Family and that this job is going to be a great deal of hard work, you recognize that you're among the luckiest leaders in the Army because you were chosen to serve here."
Rosenberg described the role of garrison command sergeant major as his conduit to the Soldiers, Families and the workforce on post. Cook said he was honored and humbled to accept this responsibility, and he looks forward to being part of the Fort Drum team and its rich heritage.
"I am, like all of you, dedicated to this Army and dedicated to our Soldiers and their Families," Cook said. "I am motivated to help sustain, support and defend this installation, community and our Soldiers and Families. … I am ready and able to be a productive and viable member of this team and continue moving forward, making this team and community great."
Cook succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Geddings, who now serves as the Installation Management Command Public Works (G4) sergeant major at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
During the assumption of responsibility ceremony, Rosenberg thanked Sgt. Maj. Jason Vankleeck, who had served as interim garrison command sergeant major since February. The commander credited Vankleeck for supporting garrison directorates such as Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and its programs.
"I'll tell you, honestly, in those two short months he's been a tremendous help," Rosenberg said. "I couldn't have asked for a more involved, caring, energetic leader. He's been deeply involved in the BOSS program, and he's made it better."
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