FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona -- U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Carmelo Cruz and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Marcus Jones at the change of responsibility ceremony May 12 on Brown Parade Field here.
"In a single day, the command sergeant major might [handle] a Soldier promotion board, a water leak, a wildland fire, flight operations at the airfield, gate access control policy, a town hall, a ribbon cutting ceremony, an interagency engagement with the Border Patrol, a burial, sparring with an All-Army boxing team and trying to understand the mating patterns of the lesser long-nosed bat," joked Col. Whit Wright, Fort Huachuca garrison commander. "If you don't believe me that was Wednesday's schedule.
"In Maj. Gen. Berrier's words, 'the command sergeant major here provides the connected tissue that makes this place hum.'"
Wright gave Cruz high compliments for his performance as the garrison command sergeant major during his tenure.
"As my partner in crime, Carmelo has been a trusted adviser and good friend," Wright joked. "And as he pointed out the other night, for 10 months he has kept me out of jail."
Wright then welcomed Jones and said he was looking forward to working with him and that his "sterling reputation precedes you. I know you will continue to be the kind of leader that our Soldiers and our Army Civilians deserve."
Cruz bid farewell to the garrison thanking Wright, the garrison staff and his Family for their support.
"I am a better sergeant major and leader for having been around you and having the courage to lead this great organization."
Cruz closed by saying how proud he was to be "part of this team through the past 24 months. I sincerely appreciate every single individual contribution and sacrifice by every member of the staff."
Jones thanked everyone for the welcome his Family received moving to Arizona from Germany.
"As I take over the duties as your garrison CSM, I want to share a thought," Jones said. "Next month marks the 242nd birthday of the United States Army and like many of you, the Soldiers of World War I came from all walks of life to serve and lead with moral and ethical courage. That is my pledge to you. To serve each member of this installation with moral and ethical courage to the utmost of my abilities."
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