FORT BUCHANAN, PR -- U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Command Sergeant Major Heriberto Quintana relinquished responsibility of Fort Buchanan as the command's senior noncommissioned officer to Command Sergeant Major José A. Banks.

The reviewing officer for this ceremony was USAG Fort Buchanan Commander Colonel Joseph B. Corcoran III. Command Sergeant Major Heriberto Quintana relinquished responsibility of Fort Buchanan as the command's senior non-commissioned officer to Command Sergeant Major ­­­­­­José A. Banks.

Special guests present were Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Luis A. Soto; Commanding General, 81st Readiness Division (81st RD) and USAG Fort Buchanan Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Jones; 81st RD Command Sgt. Maj. Levi G. Maynard; 1st Mission Support Command (1st MSC) Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Jurasek; 1st MSC Command Sgt. Maj. Robert B. Breck;

Deputy Garrison Commander Lt. Col. James K. Rowsey II; Deputy to the Garrison Commander Derrick W. Hood and Garrison Command Chaplain Lt. Col. Mark A. East.

Also present, Command Sgt. Maj. Banks wife, Carolina Banks and their sons Jayden, Aiden and Joseph. During the ceremony Carolina Banks received a bouquet of yellow rosebuds from US Army Specialist Lizzeth Mayen Hernández symbolizing the new beginning of her time with the Soldiers and civilians of Fort Buchanan.

During the virtual and live streamed, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020 Incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Banks spouse, Carolina Banks received a bouquet of yellow rosebuds from US Army Specialist Lizzeth Mayen Hernández symbolizing the new beginning of her time with the Soldiers and civilians of Fort Buchanan.

During the ceremony those present and those watching via the Garrison Facebook site, witnessed a small part of the Army’s tradition, stimulating "esprit de corps" as the colors and responsibility of the United States Army Garrison Fort Buchanan were passed from one leader to another.

“The non-commissioned officer corps has always been the key link between the officers who provide intent, and the Soldiers and civilians who execute. In recognition of their essential role in the success of the garrison command,” said José Morales, installation Transition Assistance Specialist and master of ceremony.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Garrison Commander Col. Joseph B. Corcoran III spoke to the key role of the Command Sergeant Major within the Garrison and the installation’s community.

“Garrison’s are held together by leadership, motivation and character. Command Sgt. Maj. Quintana is a consummate professional who has faithfully served the Buchanan community over the past three years working hard to ensure Fort Buchanan continues to remain a Ready, Resilient and Sustainable Installation,” said Col. Corcoran. 

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Sgt. 1st Class Kidys Medina, Installation Legal Office noncommissioned officer in charge passed the garrison flag to Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Heriberto Quintana initiating the relinquishing of his responsibilities for Fort Buchanan.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Heriberto Quintana relinquished his responsibility as he passed the garrison flag to Garrison Commander Col. Joseph B. Corcoran.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Garrison Commander Col. Joseph B. Corcoran III passes the garrison flag to Command Sergeant Major José A. Banks symbolizing the passing of responsibility for the garrison

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. José A. Banks during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Command Sgt. Maj. Banks passed the garrison colors back to Sgt. 1st Class Kidys Medina, Installation Legal Office noncommissioned officer in charge signifying his assumption of responsibility for Fort Buchanan.

Corcoran went on to list many of Command Sgt. Maj. Quintana’s accomplishments during his tour of duty adding “He was a sounding board and a battle-buddy.”

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Command Sergeant Major Heriberto Quintana relinquished responsibility of Fort Buchanan as the command's senior noncommissioned officer to Command Sergeant Major José A. Banks.

To incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Banks he said, “Let me be one of the first to welcome you to the Buchanan family. You may find your role as CSM to be challenging, rewarding, exciting, demanding, frustrating and enlightening many of these will occur at the same time…but it’s all part of the job,” said Corcoran. “I know you will do well! However, I can promise you that you will find this assignment to be the best job you have had in the Army to date,” he concluded.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. Outgoing Fort Buchanan Garrison Command Sergeant Major Heriberto Quintana addressed attendees and the virtual community.

Command Sgt. Maj. Quintana thanked everyone near and far, for participating although “a virtual change of responsibility ceremony is not the most traditional form.” “What a tour! Of all of my previous assignments this is by far my most memorable and rewarding,” said Quintana.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomed its 10th Command Sergeant Major during a virtual and live streamed, Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni Reserve Center in Fort Buchanan, July 14, 2020. New Fort Buchanan Garrison Command Sergeant Major José A. Banks addressed attendees and the virtual community.

“I am very excited and humbled for the opportunity to serve as your Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. I will be looking forward to build on Command Sgt. Maj. Quintana’s great legacy and provide our directorates, our mission partners and the local community the support they need to make Fort Buchanan the number one installation of choice for everyone,” said Banks.

“In regards to my character, I live by the Golden Rule, treat everyone as you want to be treated. Carolina and I are very thankful for the warm welcome and all the support we received to ensure our transition was as smooth as possible. We feel like family,” concluded Command Sgt. Maj. Banks.

Support and Defend!

We are Fort Buchanan!

¡Somos el Fuerte Buchanan!