Smith heads back to HQ Battalion

FORT BELVOIR (Virginia) -- A change of responsibility ceremony Monday afternoon saw Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane formally acA,Acept the position of installaA,Ation command sergeant major from his predecessor, the outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Allison Smith.

Berhane is a 26-year vetA,Aeran of the Army and comes to Belvoir after serving as command sergeant major of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

During his remarks to an audience gathered in front of installation headquarters, Berhane told everyone he's not only blessed, but honored to be serving at a post he beA,Alieves to be at the forefront of the nation's Army.

'My goal is to have the best service available for those working, living and visA,Aiting Fort Belvoir,' Berhane said. 'I pledge my unwaverA,Aing commitment to excelA,Alence and will work hard in making sure the Army has a strong and cohesive relationA,Aship with everyone in the community.' Smith assumed the posiA,Ation five months ago on an inA,Aterim basis after the departure of Command Sgt. Maj. Tracey Anbiya to Germany. She will remain at Belvoir and resume duties as the Headquarters Battalion command sergeant major.

'This is a wonderful day to be a Soldier. During my tenure, I've learned so many things. Most importantly, I've learned that it takes a team to run an installation,' Smith said. ' From our directors right down to our Soldiers, we have an incredible team here and I'm grateful to have gotten to know each and every one of them. I'm honA,Aored to be in your company.' Smith highlighted the pace of accomplishments of the command during her tenure, which she quipped was originally intended to be for a few weeks.

These inA,Aclude the signing of the Army Community Covenant and several upgrades related to Base Realignment and Closure. She also thanked her ' battle buddy,' Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt for his dedication and support to the Belvoir community.

Though the day clearly beA,Alonged to both Smith and Berhane, Blixt acknowledged that Belvoir was also 'turnA,Aing a proverbial page toA,Awards a new beginning' with the day's main event.

'We recently mourned the loss of our deputy installation commander, JoAnn Blanks, so, in many ways, today's cerA,Aemony is the start of a new chapter for us at installation command,' Blixt said.

'How proper that during the Year of the NCO, we take the time to honor two indiA,Aviduals who have done so much for our Soldiers, famiA,Alies and civilians. It helps having a smooth transition and both Command Sgt. Maj. Smith and Command Sgt. Maj. Berhane display a high level of professionalism. We're fortunate to have them both.'