The Old Guard bids farewell to CSM Stoker, welcomes CSM Beeson

By Julia LeDouxMarch 24, 2016

The Old Guard bids farewell to CSM Stoker, welcomes CSM Beeson
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel J. Stoker, right, outgoing command sergeant major for the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment
(The Old Guard), relinquishes the regimental colors to regimental Commander Col. Johnny K. Davis during a
change of responsibility ceremony M... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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The Old Guard bids farewell to CSM Stoker, welcomes CSM Beeson
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj.
Scott A. Beeson, right,
incoming command sergeant
major for the 3d
U.S. Infantry Regiment
(The Old Guard), accepts
the regimental colors
from regimental Commander
Col. Johnny K.
Davis during a change of
responsibility ceremony
March... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel J. Stoker, Jr., and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Beeson as its senior enlisted leader during a change of responsibility ceremony March 17 at Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Stoker served as The Old Guard's senior enlisted advisor for nearly two years.

"This ceremony is very special to me and to all the members of The Old Guard because of Command Sgt. Maj. Stoker's contribution to the regiment," said Col. Johnny K. Davis, commander of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Davis said Stoker has done everything the Army has asked him to do and done them well during his career.

"He distinguished himself and continues to progress right through his current position," he said. "What a reputation he has. I have benefited from his wise counsel."

Stoker's next assignment is at Fort Irwin, Calif.

Davis went on to call Stoker a "great friend."

"We have shared a lot of great moments together," he said. "Bless you as you continue your journey in the Army."

Davis then welcomed Beeson to the regiment as its 31st command sergeant major.

"I'm sure you'll make a great fit and we're all looking forward to your leadership," he said.

A native of Greenfield, Indiana, Beeson enlisted in the Army in 1988. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a focus in homeland security from the University of Maryland. His military education includes the First Sergeants course; Drill Sergeants school; Air Assault School; Jumpmaster school and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.

"Thank you for giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity," Beeson said. "I look forward to working with each and every one of you."

During his time in the Army, Beeson's assignments have included tours in South Korea, Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Benning, Ga., Italy, Fort Jackson, S.C., and Alaska. His deployments include Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Operation Enduring Freedom Vi and VII.

In a separate ceremony at the Fort Myer Officers Club, Stoker was awarded the Legion of Merit by Davis and presented with a farewell memento from the regiment's senior leaders.

Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.