HHC USAG welcomes new senior enlisted leader

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – The Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC) U.S. Army Garrison hosted its change of responsibility ceremony on May 14 at the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard facility where 1st Sgt. Janos Aksz relinquished his responsibilities to 1st Sgt. Philip Boggs.

Capt. Hiram Gascot III, HHC commander, presided over the ceremony. During his speech, Gascot thanked Aksz for his leadership and referred to him as the “backbone” of the company.

“In every sense you were the backbone of this company,” Gascot said. “Steadfast, driven and always mission focused. Under your leadership, HHC became stronger, more cohesive and more ready. Your influence will be felt here long after today.”

Gascot continued by thanking Aksz’s wife, Kierstin, for the sacrifices she made and the “quiet strength” she provided throughout Aksz’s time as the company’s first sergeant.

“Your support for this company is a reason why this company was able to succeed,” Gascot said. “Again, thank you for your commitment and loyalty to this company.”

Next, Gascot welcomed Boggs to the company and said he is stepping into some “big boots,” but that he has no doubts he will fill those boots.

Gascot continued by talking about Boggs’ commitment to putting the Soldiers first and reflected on the time they spent together at Fort Cavazos, Texas, formerly known as Fort Hood.

“[Boggs] and I go back to our days in first brigade at Fort [Cavasos],” Gascot said. “We experienced quite some hardships at ‘the great place.’ […] I have full confidence that you will lead this company and continue the legacy of excellence that was established by First Sergeant Aksz.”

Following Gascot’s speech, Aksz took to the podium and began by reflecting on something his dad taught him when he was young, which was “you should always respect your family, and you should find new family.”

“That stuck with me, and I never really thought about that until I took this job,” Aksz said. “This company has been very much that – a part of my family for Kierstin and I.”

Aksz continued by talking about how impressed he is every day by the Soldiers in the company and how the stress they deal with is very different from the stress Soldiers are normally used to in the Army. He also recognized the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard team which conducted over 500 funerals last year and an additional 80 plus special services.

“For those men and women in the Honor Guard [who] look [into the eyes of surviving] family [members] multiple times a day – sometimes up to 20 times a week – on that family’s worst time in their life and be the rock – or be the person to get the blame, or just gets whatever emotion that family needs to express in the moment – is absolutely devastating to our Soldiers here,” Aksz said. “However, our noncommissioned officers … take care of each other like a family, check on each other, make sure they’re there. That’s to me, what the Army is truly about.”

Next, Aksz spoke about the previous HHC commander he worked with, Capt. Frannie Bermudes, and said she will be a sister and “part of my family” for the rest of their lives. He also thanked his current commander, Gascot, and said he “couldn’t have had a better commander than I do at this very moment.”

Before concluding his speech, Aksz welcomed Boggs and his family to the company, thanked the garrison command team for their support, and his wife for everything she’s done throughout his time with the company.

Boggs then took to the podium and began by thanking his family, friends, and distinguished guests in attendance. He then reflected on this being his third unit in two years while assigned to the installation.

“I’ve met a great amount of people, whether it’s the [Network Enterprise Technology Command] family, or the 111th [Military Intelligence Battalion] family, and now the garrison family,” Boggs said. “And everywhere I’ve been, it’s always been the same on Fort Huachuca. Everyone welcomes you with open arms and treats you as a part of the unit.”

Next, Boggs thanked Aksz’ wife for showing his wife the roles and responsibilities as the first sergeant’s spouse, and thanked Aksz for showing him what it means to understand the responsibilities of the company.

Boggs then told Gascot that their time together at Fort Cavazos was a “great experience,” and that it helped them to learn how to work together.

“I look forward to working with you again and getting to know your family moving forward,” Boggs said.

Before concluding his speech, Boggs thanked his wife and kids and said he’s grateful for the love and support they show him as he continues to progress through his Army career.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Army song and provided audience members with the opportunity to say farewell to Aksz and his family and to welcome Boggs and his family.

(Editor’s note: The complete photo album is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/us_army_fort_huachuca/albums/72177720326104670/.)

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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Electronic Proving Ground, Joint Interoperability Test Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.

Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.

We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.