CECOM welcomes new command sergeant major

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD; The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command officially welcomed a new command sergeant major during a Change of Responsibility ceremony at the Myer Auditorium Aug. 9.

Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Gutierrez comes to CECOM from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. Gutierrez replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew McCoy, who retired from military service.

In this position, Gutierrez will serve as CECOM's senior enlisted leader. He will advise the CECOM commanding general on the U.S. Army's command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or C4ISR, materiel integration. He is responsible for enabling the U.S. Army's warfighting readiness by providing sustainable global C4ISR support.

A time-honored tradition

Gutierrez was officially installed into his new role by CECOM Commanding General and APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Randy Taylor.

Taylor thanked the audience, especially the family members, for supporting McCoy and Gutierrez. The change of responsibility is a special tradition in the Army, he said.

"It is a sacred pledge, it's a pledge to keep the command accountable to the Army and to the American people, who we serve," he said.

Building camaraderie

Taylor said McCoy excelled in bridging the gap between Soldiers and civilians "to foster a culture of trust between the command leadership and the civilian workforce."

For example, in 2016, McCoy and the previous APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Toese Tia Jr. created the Team APG Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, or PME, Hard Challenge to build camaraderie among the APG community.

"He recognizes that whether you put on a green uniform or a business suit, before you come to work we are all part of the same Army, and we're all fundamentally motivated by the same desire to make a difference," he said.

Leadership could always count on McCoy to represent APG at community meetings and events, Taylor said.

"He is someone that sets the standard and lives by the motto 'no one is more professional than I.'"

Taylor welcomed Gutierrez and his family to CECOM.

"You will continue to exhibit exemplary leadership and strengthen the connective tissue between the command, our staff, our civilian workforce and our local communities," he said.

Taylor also noted Gutierrez'experience in advanced research and development.

"Your new position will be an exciting opportunity to witness the fruit of that advanced R&D make its way into our Soldiers' hands on the battlefield," he said.

Remarks

McCoy thanked Taylor for his remarks. He commended the CECOM workforce for their dedication to excellence.

"After serving just a short time within this command, I now have an appreciation for our trusted and professional workforce," he said. "Always working in the background without fanfare to deliver capabilities to enable our warfigher's lethality."

Gutierrez said he is ready for the challenges that will come with his new position.

"Please know that no matter how complicated things get, there are Soldiers that rely on you each and every day," he told the CECOM workforce.

He thanked the Soldiers and civilians he had served with throughout his career.

"I am a direct reflection of the people that I served with," he said.

About Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Gutierrez

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Gutierrez enlisted in the Army in 1990. After basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, he held Military Occupational Specialty 31C, Single Channel Radio Telephone Operator.

His previous assignments include Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Gordon, Georgia; and Wiesbaden, Germany. He also deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

His awards include two Legions of Merit, seven Meritorious Service medals and several awards for combat service. He was also selected for duty with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command where he earned USAREC's Gold Badge with 3-star sapphires, was named the New Recruiter of the Year in 1996 and made the U.S. Army's Top 100 Recruiters List in 1997.

McCoy's retirement ceremony

McCoy's 26 years of service to the nation was officially honored during a retirement ceremony that took place after the change of responsibility ceremony at the Myer Auditorium.

McCoy was presented with the Legion of Merit; a Presidential Certificate of Appreciation; and the Certificate of Retirement, signed by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley.

Taylor presented McCoy's wife, Karen McCoy, the Commander's Award for Public Service; and certificates of appreciation from Taylor and Milley, as their children Zachery, Daniella and Lauryn looked on.

Taylor thanked McCoy's family for their "selfless service."

"On behalf of a grateful nation, and a very grateful community here at APG, thank you for supporting Matt all these years," he said.

Taylor said Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew McCoy exemplifies servant leadership. He said that McCoy has impacted many people in "profound ways."

"Be rest assured that your legacy will live on at CECOM, APG and across our Army," he said.

McCoy thanked his family and friends for their support.

"Thank you for all your love and support of Team McCoy," he said. " I look forward to our future, and I am excited about our future. Army Strong."

The program included the invocation by Garrison Chaplain Resource Manager Capt. Michael Kayle; the national anthem sung by Courtney Gilbert of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command and a historical presentation called "I Am the Sergeant."

About Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew McCoy

McCoy enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17 after graduating from East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and completed Advanced Individual Training as a 25C Single Channel Radio Operator at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

His previous assignments include Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Camp Pelham, Korea; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

His operational deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn in Iraq.

Among his awards, McCoy has been awarded the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star medals for his combat service, the Master Parachutist, the Pathfinder and the Air Assault badges as well as several foreign jump wings for airborne operations with partner nations.

He is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Association.

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