Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Carolyn Y. Donaldson as its new senior enlisted leader and bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Randall Woods during a change of responsibility ceremony Aug. 26 on Summerall Field.
"Her insights and experiences will prove invaluable, and I am fully confident that she will continue to lead our change, the kind that makes all of us believe in ourselves first before advancing as a team," said JBM-HH Commander Col. Patrick Duggan during the ceremony.
Donaldson, a native of Florence, South Carolina, enlisted in the Army under the delayed entry program in 1988 and entered the active duty ranks in 1990. During her career, Donaldson has served in a variety of assignments both in the United States and overseas, participating in Operation Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Hurricane Sandy.
Donaldson holds a master's degree in health care management (cum laude) from Trident University, Inc.
"This is truly an honor and privilege," Donaldson said. "I know we may encounter some bumps along the way, but together as a team there is no doubt in my mind that we will overcome them."
The traditional ceremony featured the passing of the colors from Woods to Donaldson.
Woods served tirelessly as the joint base CSM, providing stability in an organization where change is the only constant, Duggan said.
"Circulating everywhere and anywhere, Command Sgt. Maj. Woods engaged at every level across our very diverse workforce, forging personal bonds, solving personal problems, but most of all connecting," he said. "Command Sgt. Maj. Woods is a compassionate leader with a stabilizing influence on others."
In his remarks, Woods called leaving the joint base after serving as garrison's senior enlisted leader "bittersweet."
"The workforce here his the most dedicated and hardest working people I have ever seen," Woods said. "On numerous occasions I have seen them perform miracles, provide first class services and handle emergencies. They support the installation and the community in a first-class manner."
"On the one hand, I don't want to leave, because I've grown to love this place and love the people," he said. "On the other hand, I know it's time to go."
Woods' next assignment is at Fort Bragg, where he will serve as command sergeant major for the Forces Command Judge Advocate General's office. He said wherever he goes, his focus is on serving his troops and the mission.
"Many years ago, my dad told me 'every day, you have to earn your keep.' That is all I've done, earned my keep," he said.
Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com
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