JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Soldiers of the 174th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division East witnessed the passing of its senior noncommissioned officer leadership, March 25, 2015.
Command Sgt. Maj. Calvin Coler, outgoing command sergeant major, passed the ceremonial noncommissioned officer's sword to incoming command sergeant major, Danny Day in a traditional Change of Responsibility (COR) at Doughboy gymnasium at Army Support Activity Fort Dix.
Coler served as the Patriots senior noncommissioned officer since August 30, 2012. Coler, a native of Louisiana and 30-year veteran, is scheduled to retire from the active Army in the coming months.
"As I have said to each new Soldier I have welcomed to the Army…this is the life that you chose -- it's not risk free, nor is it always easy, but in the humble opinion of this proud Artilleryman, it has always been a life worth living," remarked Coler to an audience of more than 200 Soldiers gathered for the event.
Prior to the COR, Maj. Gen. Jeffery L. Bailey, commander, First Army Division East, called the formation into a horseshoe and awarded Coler The Legion of Merit. He was recognized for his distinguished 30-year career and exceptionally meritorious service as the 174th command sergeant major.
Coler immediately passed the credit for his accomplishments to the Soldiers gathered and those he's worked with for the duration of his career.
Next, he took time to recognize his friends, the Griffin family. He personally coined his mentor, retired Sgt. 1st Class Robert Griffin Jr., better known today as the father of Robert Griffin III (RG3), quarterback of the Washington Redskins. Coler called the Griffins a true Army family, his "home away from home" and thanked them for their continued support over the years.
The Soldiers fell back into formation and the ceremony began. The Change of Responsibility ceremony is a long-standing tradition in the Army. The noncommissioned officer's sword is passed in a tight four-point circle from the Sergeant of Arms, to the outgoing command sergeant major, to the unit commander, to the incoming command sergeant major and back to the Arms. Sergeant. The significance of the customary passing signifies that leaders come and go but the sword remains razor sharp.
During Coler's remarks he mentioned how the Army is the most honorable decision he ever made.
"There is no more noble profession than the one of which we are members of. It's a portion of your life spent in the cold, hot, snow or rain… facing danger during war and peace while making the best friends you will ever have… guys that will have your back no matter what life brings."
Coler plans to soon retire and settle close to Fort Hood, Texas spending countless hours bass fishing.
"My advice to becoming a command sergeant major is to be loyal to your Soldiers and always follow the rules and regulations. Most importantly, eliminate those gray areas between the black and white," he said.
Day, the new 174th command sergeant major, is a native of Kentucky and completed his last assignment as the brigade command sergeant major for the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He kept his remarks short and stressed he was eager to get to work.
"Thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to working with each and every one of you -- Patriots on Point!"
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