REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--Many will say there is no one path to being a contracting command sergeant major, and for Command Sgt. Maj. David Puig, this was certainly true.
Puig, who has been the Army Contracting Command command sergeant major for two years, will pass his responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Castillo during a Change of Responsibility ceremony here April 19.
Puig joined the Oregon Army National Guard in December 1985 as a combat medical specialist and soon transferred to active duty.
"I knew immediately I wanted to serve as a medic -- selfless service was my reason for joining the Army. I knew that before the Army even established the seven values, which included selfless service of course," he says with a smile.
Puig went on to work in Explosive Ordnance Disposal before eventually landing in contracting. While the work that came before him may have been challenging in so many ways, he says nothing could have prepared him for the work he was to do here.
It is not just that he hadn't worked with so many civilians that was a new experience though, or that he was dealing with contracts. His experience at Joint Munitions Command had him working with a large amount of civilians daily, and his time at JMC also gave him experience in contracts. But this was different.
"This command is so unique, if you are not in it, you just don't get it. Ninety-nine percent of the Army has no clue what we do every day. But without us -- without our people -- the Army mission would stop dead in its track," Puig said.
Puig recognized the importance of that mission immediately, and while he says it took him a good six months to really understand what the command does, he was with the workforce from the start.
"Training and readiness--those are always my goals for improvement and it was here too, to seek improvement for the NCOs, expand the depth in that department," says Puig.
Being with the workforce is the important thing, the best thing about his job, he says with a light in his eyes. Every trip-- town halls, engaging with people -- is what keeps his blood flowing. He recognizes that meetings and conferences are important, but it's talking to people that really brings out that smile.
"That is my greatest joy and has been while at this command. A requirement is identified, and the Army assumes it will be filled. It always is. Every day, throughout the world, I have the privilege of telling the story of the 6,000 folks getting it done," he says.
"If I have to leave, I feel comfortable leaving the command only because Command Sgt. Major Castillo will be taking over a leadership role," says Puig. "He and his family are great people."
For his next assignment, CSM Puig has been selected to participate in a fellows program through Pennsylvania State University at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he will study for one year and then teach at the Sergeant Majors Academy for three years. Although his studying will keep him busy, he says he is looking forward to the stability this will provide for him and his wife, Linda Lopez-Puig.
Puig and his wife believe that Redstone has been a tremendous learning experience for both of them.
"I hope we have contributed as much as we received," said Puig. "Redstone Arsenal (and this community) is a great place to live. It's definitely on our short list for retirement."
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