INSCOM welcomes new First Sergeant

By Nathan BeckerJanuary 8, 2019

INSCOM welcomes new First Sergeant
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Matthew R. Moreland (right), commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), passes the command guidon to 1st Sgt. Edmond W. Sharp, first sergeant, HHC INSCOM, during the INSCOM HHC ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
INSCOM welcomes new First Sergeant
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Sgt. Peter J. Novak, outgoing first sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), gives remarks during the INSCOM HHC change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
INSCOM welcomes new First Sergeant
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Sgt. Edmond W. Sharp, first sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), addresses the audience during the INSCOM HHC change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) welcomed a new first sergeant during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Nolan Building, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on Jan. 3.

1st Sgt. Edmond W. Sharp assumed responsibility from outgoing 1st Sgt. Peter J. Novak at the event attended by many of INSCOM's senior leaders, Soldiers, civilians and contractors.

Capt. Matthew R. Moreland, HHC commander, officiated the ceremony and thanked Sharp for accepting the position.

"You are no stranger to INSCOM and its' subordinate brigades, and have a wealth of experience to bring to bear from your organizations," said Moreland. "You have garnered the great respect of those units' members and I see every day that you are continuing to garner this same respect with the Soldiers and civilians of this organization."

Sharp, the incoming first sergeant, is no stranger to INSCOM, arriving in his new position as a two-time veteran first sergeant with the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and as a former INSCOM G-3 Aerial Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance noncommissioned officer in charge.

Sharp thanked those who prepared him to take responsibility of HHC, especially Novak.

"Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to carry on the great work that First Sergeant Novak has done on behalf of the Command. I will work diligently to match his effort and achievements," said Sharp. "First Sergeant Novak, thank you for setting me up for success in this transition, I will do my best to keep the high level of professionalism that you displayed as the first sergeant as the standard."

Moreland ended his speech by thanking Novak and reminding those in attendance of the important role the HHC first sergeant plays on a daily basis.

"When you look at HHC INSCOM's accomplishments over the last few years, there's hardly a success that isn't traced back to first sergeants' capable leadership," Moreland said. "First Sergeant Novak is routinely recognized by other units' senior leadership for his influence beyond his organization. This is a time to be proud of your accomplishments and the accomplishments of your family in supporting you in all of this. Thank you."

During his remarks Novak thanked his family for their support throughout his career and emphasized the outstanding contributions of INSCOM's Soldiers, civilians and contractors.

"What you all do every day is amazing to me, and I'm extremely honored and proud to have served alongside you," Novak said. "It blows my mind of the contributions that you all bring to the table every day and overall that is why I have been successful."

A first sergeant is the cornerstone of a Company, as their principal duty is the training of Soldiers. They are experts in all facets of Soldier matters and the Noncommissioned officer Corps, hold formations, instruct platoon sergeants and are responsible for the health and welfare of all of the unit's Soldiers. As the most senior enlisted member of the company, the first sergeant is the principal advisor to the commander.

Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, INSCOM has 17 major subordinate commands with more than 17,500 Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors located across the globe at 180 locations in 45 countries.