3rd Chem Brigade welcomes new top noncommissioned officer

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Command Sgt. Maj. John Hawley relinquished responsibility of the 3rd Chemical Brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Aldenberg during a change-of-responsibility ceremony at Shea Gym July 2.

Col. Jim Bonner, 3rd Chem. Bde. commander, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and praised Hawley as a talented leader who was instrumental as the 3rd Chem. Bde. command sergeant major.

"I doubt many people know it … but we both started our careers in the 1st Ranger Battalion -- an organization that always challenges you to constantly be prepared, remain vigilant, and maintain the standard," Bonner said. "Command Sgt. Maj. Hawley was all those."

"Every so often, a unit needs a leader to remind them of the Corps values. Command Sgt. Maj. Hawley has done that by emphasizing Warrior Ethos, focusing on physical fitness, discipline, and basic skills like combatives," Bonner added.

Bonner said he and wife, Deborah, and the 3rd Chem. Bde. were grateful to both Hawley and his wife, Claudia, for their leadership and teamwork.

Bonner also welcomed the Aldenberg family back to Fort Leonard Wood.

"We together will continue to build upon this proud unit" he said.

Aldenberg thanked everyone for attending the ceremony and said it was good to see old friends within the audience.

"It's hard to believe that we left over eight years ago, but we are glad to be back," Aldenberg said. "It is evident that this brigade is comprised of professional, dedicated officers, NCOs, Soldiers and civilians."

"Being selected as the command sergeant major for the 3rd Chemical Brigade is an extreme honor and I am proud to serve," he added. "I look forward to working with officers, NCOs and civilians of the brigade … to show that we will continue to provide world-class training in support of our Basic Combat Training, CBRN and transportation warriors."

Aldenberg joined the Army in 1991. He served in the 11th Chemical Company at Fort McClellen, Ala.; the 25th Chemical Company in Budingen, Germany; the 7th Transportation Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C.; the 71st Chemical Company at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Leonard Wood; the 95th Chemical Company at Fort Richardson, Alaska; the United States Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas; the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. and 22nd Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. He has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Aldenberg and his wife, Carolyn, have two children, Trevor and Paige.