WIESBADEN, Germany -- When Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Mercado passes responsibility of 5th Signal Command (Theater) next month, he will also begin passing into retirement after a career with the Army spanning 28 years and three continents.
Mercado entered service Jan. 13, 1988 as a signal Soldier.
"I remember leaving out of Puerto Rico about 80 degrees (27 C) and arriving at Fort Dix, N.J. I was underdressed so I got a field jacket quick," he said.
His first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment in Baumholder, Germany, which he said was later re-flagged to be part of 1st Armored Division.
"I spent my first four and a half years as a signaleer providing communications to the infantry," Mercado said.
He would go on to serve another 13 years in combat arms providing communications support to infantry, artillery and air defense artillery units. Mercado has also worked with strategic and joint assignments serving as the CJ6 sergeant major for United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea, as the senior enlisted advisor for the 39th Signal Battalion providing communications support to U.S. forces assigned to NATO, Benelux and northern Germany, and to his current assignment as the senior enlisted advisor for 5th Signal Command (Theater).
Mercado said the Signal Regiment has changed dramatically during his 28 years.
"It's very interesting to see how the technology has changed the way we train and equip our Soldiers. If you walk around the 5th Signal Command headquarters and you see some of those old pieces of equipment in the display cases and that are now in museums, that's what I grew up with operating," he said.
After 28 years in the Army, he also has some advice for young Soldiers.
"I've crossed thousands of individuals in my career, and I believe I've provided them some positive coach, teach, train, mentorship," Mercado said.
He encouraged Soldiers to be proficient at their job and to be proficient as a Soldier, to have balance in their life, and to take care of each other and their command.
"I want to make sure they understand never to confuse competence with character. You should always do the right thing, even when nobody is looking. Shortcuts can get people killed," Mercado said.
Mercado said after retirement this summer he hopes to work as a Junior ROTC instructor at a high school in Chicago to help motivate young men and women to become productive citizens.
"I've been teaching, coaching, training and mentoring for the last 25 years plus," Mercado said. "My desire is to get back to the inner city of Chicago and give back to the youth."
Mercado said he has spent most of his career overseas, including eight years in Korea, seven years in Germany, two years in Belgium and one year in Iraq. He said he was excited that his career started in Germany and will end in Germany.
During his four and a half years in 5th Signal Command, Mercado said he has raised morale, provided mentorship to officers, NCOs and Soldiers, and ensured standards were upheld.
"The Soldiers, Civilians and Family members here have always welcomed me with open arms and treated me with respect as a Soldier and as a person. I'll never forget the Dragon Warrior family," he said.
Col. Jimmy L. Hall Jr., commander of 5th Signal Command, said Mercado served with distinction while at the command and throughout his 28-year career.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Mercado has been a true people-person, leader, a professional, and a trusted advisor, and this team is better because of him. I thank him for answering our nation's call and wish him all the best," Hall said.
Mercado will pass responsibility of 5th Signal Command to Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Gutierrez, currently serving as the senior enlisted advisor for the 160th Signal Brigade and Task Force Signal-Afghanistan at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The change of responsibility ceremony will be March 17 at 11 a.m. at the Clay Kaserne Fitness Center and is open to all DoD ID card holders.
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5th Signal Command's mission is to build, operate and defend network capabilities to enable mission command and create tactical, operational, and strategic flexibility for Army, Joint and Multinational forces in the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility.
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