NATICK, Mass. (March 5, 2010) - With the passing of the noncommissioned officer sword, Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Allen accepted the responsibility as the new U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Natick senior enlisted advisor.

Allen succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Mittie Smith who retired after 28 years of service to our Nation.

"I must openly admit that I had some reservations when I learned of my assignment to Natick," Allen said in his speech to the Soldiers and civilians of the Natick military community. "In 23 years of service, I had never heard of the Natick Soldier Systems Center. After a conversation with Command Sgt. Maj. (Bernard) McPherson, he told me without hesitation that this was the assignment for me and I would find my duty here very insightful."

Allen comes to Natick from the 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Command Sergeant Major, Schweinfurt, Germany.

He enlisted into the Army in 1986 and has held every leadership position from team chief to Command Sergeant Major.

Allen has also completed every level of noncommissioned officer professional development culminating with his graduation with class 55 of the Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.

The commander of USAG-Natick, Lt. Col. Kari Otto is looking forward to Allen coming on board.

"So while I'm sad to lose my current battle buddy and mentor, I know I've been blessed with another outstanding NCO to fill this key leadership position," said Otto. "I'm pleased to welcome CSM Earl Allen and his wife DeDe to our Natick team.

"Long before I met CSM Allen, I started hearing about him - it's a very small Army, so that's either a good thing or a bad thing. Everything I heard indicated CSM Allen, his experience and his credentials were tailor made for this mission.

Aca,!Ac Must be intelligent - check

Aca,!Ac Must have superb interpersonal skills - check

Aca,!Ac Must be a great communicator - check

Aca,!Ac Must be an experienced CSM (twice over) - check

Aca,!Ac Must be competent - check and double check

Aca,!Ac Must have a Soldier's heart - check

"Perhaps the best indicator of CSM Allen superb leadership came from CSM Marvin Hill," Otto continued. "During a recent conversation, CSM Hill said - 'While we were in Iraq, I trusted him to train my Soldiers'. I can think of no higher compliment than that."

In his address to the Natick military community, Allen welcomed the challenge to be the battle buddy of the Garrison commander.

"To my new battle buddy, Lt. Col. Otto, you will learn a lot about me in the next few months, but there are three important things to you need to know up front.

"I am a professional - and I will display that image daily. I am a noncommissioned officer - and I understand my role as a noncommissioned officer. I am a leader - and our combined leadership may not enable us to move a mountain, but it will provide us with the knowledge and ability to think out of the box and climb over that mountain as a team."

The Natick Soldier Systems Center Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Harold Greene is excited about the arrival of Allen.

"We are fortunate to have CSM Allen and his wife DeDe on the Natick team," said Greene. "He's jumped right into the job. Two hours after the ceremony he was in my office providing the expert advice and counsel we expect from a CSM. We are glad to have you on the team."

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Photos from the USAG-Natick Change of Responsibility/Retirement Ceremony