Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weatherholt accepted the noncommissioned officer sword from Col. Niave Knell, 14th Military Police Brigade commander, on Gammon Field Nov. 2, officially signifying him accepting responsibility as the senior noncommissioned officer of the brigade.
Weatherholt replaced Command Sgt. Maj. David Tookmanian, who had been the command sergeant major since January of 2015.
Tookmanian expressed his gratitude to the Soldiers of the 14th MP Bde. for their support, saying they are a great representation of the Soldiers in the Army.
"It's been an honor to serve you and to serve with you," he said. "I am proud to call you brothers and sisters. I have no doubt you are a fantastic generation, and you are going to carry this Army forward."
Knell offered similar thanks to Tookmanian for the example he gave to not only her, but to the Soldiers of the brigade.
"There is so much (Tookmanian) is good at, and I have learned a lot from him," she said. "Thank you for being willing to look at things a different way; thanks for your perspective and your sound advice."
Knell welcomed Weatherholt to the brigade saying he will continue moving the brigade in the right direction.
"I have full confidence in your experience, competence and character," she said. "I know you will continue where Took left off and have a major impact on the unit and its leaders."
Tookmanian agreed.
"(There is) no one I would be more honored to turn over the reins to than him," he said about Weatherholt. "He is going to take this brigade to the next level."
Weatherholt said it was an honor to not only take the torch from Tookmanian, but to also be returning to the home of the MP Regiment to serve in this position.
"I never imagined I would be back here at the home of the regiment in this position," he said. "The Soldiers and leaders standing there in front of you on this field represents the future of our Army and our Military Police Corps. I am extremely humbled in being selected to take them through the next challenge. I look forward to serving with you."
Weatherholt's previous assignment was serving as the command sergeant major for the 709th Military Police Battalion, Grafenwoehr, Germany.
His decorations include a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters and a Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Weatherholt is a member of the Audie Murphy and Sergeant Morales clubs and is a recipient of the Order of the Marechaussee, bronze award.
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