FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. (Aug. 1, 2013) -- "I would not have become the Soldier I am today without the help I received from my family, my friends, and my co-workers," said Command Sgt. Major Gerald W. Williams, during a retirement ceremony for the former command sergeant major of the Network Enterprise Technology Command, in the Greely Hall auditorium Aug. 1, here. Such words brought to life the true feelings of a Soldier and American patriot who served this country for 28 years with distinction and honor.
"He is, by far, the best noncommissioned officer in the Army today," said Maj. Gen. Alan R. Lynn, NETCOM commanding general, during remarks at the Thursday ceremony. "I can tell you that Command Sgt. Major Williams has excelled in every area that he has ever been associated with."
Speaking about the early years in Williams' career with the Army, Lynn spoke about how he quickly moved up in the leadership ranks. "In a four year period he was selected to be a platoon sergeant and then a first sergeant, said Lynn. "That tells you the type of quality everyone sees in this NCO."
Ending his remarks about Williams, Lynn showed testimonial videos from two of the command's former commanding generals who also chose Williams to be their senior enlisted Soldier while with NETCOM. Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, Army Chief Information Officer and Maj. Gen. Jennifer Napper, U.S. Cyber Command chief of plans and policies, both spoke about how Williams was an exceptional leader and Soldier.
Williams gave all the credit for his achievements during his career to others. He specifically pointed out that without the support from his family and the mentorship from his friends and superiors, he would not have been the leader he was today.
"Leaders are not born, leaders are developed," said Williams to a round of applause.
During the awards portion of the ceremony, Williams was presented with the Legion of Merit and the Signal Regiment's Silver Order of Mercury.
Williams enlisted in the Army as a Multichannel Communication Equipment Operator in Dec. 1984, and graduated from basic training in Feb. 1985. Some of the highlights of Williams' service included his work as the command sergeant major for the White House Communications Agency, the 5th Signal Command (Theater) in Germany, and the 1st U.S. Army Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash. He also served as the commandant of the Henry H. Lind Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Fort Lewis.
Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and his Army education includes graduating from the Army Sergeants Major Academy, Airborne School; Air Load Planners course, First Sergeants Course, and was selected as a distinguished graduate from both the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course and Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course.
In addition to receiving the Legion of Merit and the Silver Order of Mercury during the ceremony, Williams' other awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and five Meritorious Service Medals. He is also a recipient of the Signal Regiment's Bronze Order of Mercury.
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