New garrison command sergeant major takes on responsibility at Fort Benning

By Mr. Bryan Gatchell (Benning)March 15, 2018

CSM Rounds
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (March 15, 2018) -- U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning gained a new command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony March 14 in front of the Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters at Fort Benning, Georgia. With th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Change of responsibility
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (March 15, 2018) -- U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning gained a new command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony March 14 in front of the Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters at Fort Benning, Georgia. With th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
COL Cox
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (March 15, 2018) -- Col. Clinton W. Cox, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning commander, speaks during the garrison's change of responsibility. U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning gained a new command sergeant major during a change of respon... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga. (March 15, 2018) -- U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning gained a new command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony March 14 in front of the Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters at Fort Benning, Georgia.

With the passing of the USAG Fort Benning colors during the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Connie L. Rounds assumed responsibility as garrison command sergeant major from Command Sgt. Maj. William D. Pouliot.

Col. Clinton W. Cox, garrison commander, presided over the ceremony and spoke at the event, telling Rounds that his assignment as the new garrison command sergeant major would be beneficial to both Rounds and the garrison.

"We're excited," said Cox. "It is a great opportunity for you, and it is a great opportunity for Fort Benning. We're lucky to have you."

Before becoming the garrison's command sergeant major, Rounds served as the brigade operations sergeant major with Area Support Group -- Kuwait. He has been the directorate sergeant major and test parachutist for the Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has been the battalion and brigade operations sergeant major and battalion command sergeant major for 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Rounds is a native of Mayersville, Mississippi, and has a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College in Albany, New York. His military education includes Drill Sergeant, Airborne, Air Assault, Jumpmaster and Ranger courses.

"I look forward to building a strong, enduring relationship in order to continue to improve the quality of life for everyone," said Rounds, during the event. "Because life is, indeed, better at Benning."

In addition to welcoming a new command sergeant major, the ceremony was also an opportunity to say farewell to Pouliot.

Cox spoke about Pouliot's dedication in the position he was leaving.

"At the core of who he is, he cares for the Soldiers and their Families, not just in words, but in genuine deeds -- genuinely demonstrating care and compassion for their needs," said Cox. "When it came to championing Soldiers' issues, whether it was (Army Emergency Relief), child safety, or answering another (Interactive Customer Evaluation) comment, he was always there and always committed to delivering the best outcome. Even if that wasn't exactly what the customer wanted or expected, he took the time to explain why, so they understood and became part of the team."

"It came down to one word, and that one word truly is 'involvement,'" said Pouliot of the successes he achieved during his time as a garrison command sergeant major. "I got involved, put myself at the point of friction, and assisted in solving whatever problem presented itself."

Pouliot is moving on to be the command sergeant major of the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Related Links:

Benning News on the Army News Service

OFFICIAL BIO: CSM Connie L. Rounds