JRTC, Fort Polk bids farewell to Henry

FORT POLK, La. -- A relinquishment of responsibility ceremony for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk’s outgoing Post Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael C. Henry, took place March 3 at Warrior Field.

Brig. Gen. David S. Doyle, JRTC and Fort Polk commanding general, welcomed the distinguished guests, Soldiers and Family members to the ceremony.

“I’m thankful that all of you have come today to recognize Command Sergeant Major Henry’s contributions to this installation, this organization and the United States Army.”

Doyle said that Henry is going on to Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he will continue to serve the U.S. Army in the Training Doctrine Command headquarters.

“I’m confident that Command Sergeant Major Henry has all the skills, responsibility and leadership attributes to continue making an impact for our Army and exercise the influence that is necessary in this critical time,” Doyle said.

Doyle said that Henry is going to continue shaping the Army in great ways, with a degree of professionalism expected from all nominative command sergeants major.

“A command sergeant major, who is fulfilling his or her charge, lives and breathes the Army’s highest priority, which is people first,” Doyle said, “and Command Sergeant Major Henry personifies this charge.”

Doyle explained that Henry effectively trained and mentored eight subordinate mission command sergeants major, more than 30,000 Soldiers who came to JRTC and Fort Polk during his tenure and “became the reliable advocate for the 20,000 personnel, Soldiers, Family members, civilians and individuals affiliated with the installation who live or are assigned to the greater Fort Polk area.”

The commanding general said that Henry has been a sounding-board for JRTC and Fort Polk leaders.

“He’s been reliable and consistent in providing candid feedback, he’s helped our garrison team, and he’s vigilant as an observer and communicator when dealing with the needs and concerns of our Families,” said Doyle.

In dealing with other Army leaders, Doyle said that Henry always applied his knowledge and understanding of executive communications to achieve the JRTC and Fort Polk’s purpose and goals.

“Command Sergeant Major Henry, thank you for your work ethic, leadership and trusted consultation,” Doyle said.

“You’ve made the JRTC and Fort Polk a better place, you’ve made me a better officer and you’ve ensured that our Soldiers are more prepared than they were before they met you to answer our nation’s call. For that, we all say thank you and job well done.”

Henry first thanked those in attendance at the ceremony and then recognized his wife, Heather.

“During these ceremonies I have always, and will always, recognize my wife first. You are the most selfless person in our Family, and we are in your debt — it will take more than this lifetime to repay you,” Henry said.

Henry said that, to help express his experiences over the last 24 months of service at the JRTC and Fort Polk, he read “The Hero Code,” written by Admiral William H. McRaven, U.S. Navy, Retired, which conveys 10 hero codes (courage, duty, hope, integrity, humility, perseverance, humor, sacrifice, compassion, and forgiveness) that pay a tribute to the heroes McRaven met over the years of his life.

“The book recounts stories of people who possess qualities giving them the power to help others, make a difference and save others,” Henry said.

Henry said that he, too, witnessed everyday heroes who displayed the 10 hero codes described in McRaven’s book, while serving here.

Henry said he sees courage, sacrifice, compassion, duty and hope in the men and women that serve or work at the Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, in the Cajun Dust-off air crews and in the JRTC and Fort Polk senior leadership.

“Know, too, there are many more heroes across the enterprise who display compassion, duty and hope. We are fortunate to have these heroes in our ranks and communities, showing that, ultimately, people do come first,” he said.

Another example of heroes, Henry said, is found in the mortuary affairs team, displaying courage, humility, integrity, compassion, duty and hope.

“These heroes are trusted sentinels at the last watch for our Soldiers, Families and our communities,” he said.

Henry said that there are also heroes in our parishes, serving as first responders, government officials and local business owners, who exemplify the hero codes compassion, humility, courage, hope, humor and perseverance.

“I will take away memories of compassion in going to restaurants and businesses in our parishes where dinner felt like I had been welcomed at their home dinner tables. We’re fortunate to have these heroes, and it is that sense of home at the JRTC and Fort Polk that Heather and I will miss the most,” he said.

Hero codes courage, sacrifice, compassion, perseverance, hope and humor were shown by the Families, officers, non-commissioned officers and Soldiers serving in their assigned formations, said Henry. He said that these qualities are displayed by event organizers and the Soldiers or Department of the Army civilians at installation events, such as movie night, cosmic golf and the mud and color runs, or during the shared experiences of significant weather events.

“Our Soldiers and Families are the most humbled people I have ever served with — the hero codes I’ve spoken to captures the essence of each of the subordinate commands under our charge,” Henry said.

“During my time at the JRTC and Fort Polk, I have been afforded an opportunity to walk amongst giants — we are humbled to have been a small part of this experience,” he said.