Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney, the outgoing garrison command sergeant major, was awarded the Legion of Merit before the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. The Army change of responsibility ceremony formally demonstrates the continuity of enlisted leadership and underscores the senior NCO's direct responsibility for upholding standards, training, and morale within the unit.

Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney, the outgoing garrison command sergeant major, before the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. The Army change of responsibility ceremony formally demonstrates the continuity of enlisted leadership and underscores the senior NCO's direct responsibility for upholding standards, training, and morale within the unit.

Col. Brendan Gallagher, left, the Fort Bliss garrison commander, speaks about Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney during Sweeney’s end-of-tour award presentation before the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Theus assumed responsibility for the garrison from Sweeney during the morning event.

Col. Brendan Gallagher, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney shared a last moment as part of the garrison command team during the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. Sweeney and Gallagher had served together since 2023.

Col. Brendan Gallagher, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney shared a last moment as part of the garrison command team during the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. Sweeney and Gallagher had served together since 2023.

Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney, the outgoing garrison command sergeant major, during the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. The Army change of responsibility ceremony formally demonstrates the continuity of enlisted leadership and underscores the senior NCO's direct responsibility for upholding standards, training, and morale within the unit.

Col. Brendan Gallagher, the Fort Bliss garrison commander, speaks about Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney during the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Theus assumed responsibility for the garrison from Sweeney during the morning event.

Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Theus shared a moment during the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. Sweeney relinquished responsibility for the garrison to Theus during the morning event.

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Theus, left, the incoming garrison command sergeant major; Col. Brendan Gallagher, the garrison commander; and Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney, the outgoing garrison command sergeant major; marched together during the Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30, 2025. Theus assumed responsibility for the garrison from Sweeney during the morning event.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Bliss operates at a remarkably fast pace, supporting 100,000 troops and families, training and deploying tens of thousands more, and assisting with major operations like Operation Lone Star and Operation Southern Border. Col. Brendan Gallagher, the garrison commander, emphasized this during the organization's Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 30.

During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Theus assumed responsibility for the garrison from Command Sgt. Maj. David Sweeney, who had served as garrison command sergeant major since 2023.

Gallagher reflected on Sweeney's tenure, noting the garrison's "rapid-fire" environment suited him.

"A leader in whom you have absolute trust and confidence, whom you know will get the job done consistently, to an exceptionally high level, is a must," Gallagher said. "Enter Command Sergeant Major Sweeney."

"His ability to multitask and handle — I wouldn't just say handfuls of challenges, maybe roomfuls of challenges — all at once has been absolutely masterful. With any vexing issue, it was 'I got it, Sir,' 'I'm on it, Sir,' and I could have considered it done."

Gallagher added, "There's no field manual... there's no book for the garrison command sergeant major to rely on. Essentially, Sergeant Major Sweeney was writing that manual every single day. He does all of this with positivity, with passion and energy that is infectious. His counsel and advice to me was always second-to-none."

The Bliss community formally welcomed Theus, a Bronze Star recipient with five combat tours during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, along with his wife Anna and their family. Anna received a dozen yellow roses from the command, a gesture signifying a warm welcome and blossoming friendship between her and the unit's families, acknowledging the crucial support and sacrifices made by military spouses, and ushering in a new chapter for the family within the Fort Bliss community.

Gallagher expressed confidence that while the garrison was saying goodbye to a true proponent of teamwork in Sweeney, they were gaining a "super-talented" leader in Theus.

"Command Sergeant Major Theus comes with a wealth of experience, an incredible array of assignments, both in the continental U.S. and overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere," Gallagher said. "He brings with him leadership skills, positive energy, humility, which are all evident right off of the bat. That will no doubt help him build upon the successes and help the team reach greater heights."

As part of Army tradition during the ceremonial portion of the program, the command guidon was passed from Sweeney to Gallagher, signifying Sweeney's last duty as the keeper of the guidon, which represents the unit's identity and authority. Gallagher then passed it to Theus, formally marking his assumption as the new garrison command sergeant major, who then returned it to the command’ first sergeant for safekeeping.

In his remarks as the outgoing garrison command sergeant major, Sweeney affirmed the job lived up to his hopes from 2023.

"Twenty-two months ago, I stood here and told you that this was my dream job, and it has lived up to all of my expectations," he said. "Fort Bliss and El Paso have a relationship like no other I've ever seen. Between the county judges, the mayor, our congressmen, I feel like a month doesn't go by where I don't see at least one of them or multiples of them on the installation doing something that directly supports Soldiers at Fort Bliss and the community."

Among his accomplishments, Sweeney was named the 2024 U.S. Army Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Command Sergeant Major of the Year. BOSS is a Sergeant Major of the Army program that actively works to enhance the morale and welfare of single and unaccompanied Soldiers.

Although part of the day highlighted Sweeney's accomplishments, the senior NCO couldn't help but thank those who supported him.

"The United States Army Fort Bliss Garrison staff is the hardest working staff in the Army," Sweeney said. "I know everyone is sitting here thinking, 'Everyone says that about their team, right?' But I assure you, it's true. I'm amazed at the miracles that happen here every day."

He concluded his remarks with advice for Theus.

"Command Sergeant Major Theus, you have a great team," Sweeney said. "Don't worry about knowing it all – I still don't – but they will take care of you. I'll be your biggest supporter as you take the team to a new level of greatness."

Sweeney will remain at Fort Bliss with the 1st Armored Division as the interim home station senior command sergeant major until the 1st AD headquarters returns later this year. After that, he will transfer to Fort Cavazos, Texas, where he is slated to be the next CSM at U.S. Army Operational Test Command.

"In my next job, I will be back here a lot," Sweeney said. "It's hard to find someone who doesn't fall in love with Fort Bliss and El Paso."