ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Brian J. Morrison was officially welcomed to the Joint Munitions Command during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held, here, March 18.

Command Sgt. Maj. Morrison assumed his duties as the senior enlisted advisor by receiving the command's colors from Brig. Gen. Michelle M.T. Letcher, commander, Joint Munitions Command.

The JMC colors are always in the care of the Command Sergeant Major and as JMC's senior enlisted advisor, Morrison will serve as the commander's "right arm" and assist Letcher daily in supporting the ammunition enterprise mission.

"Soldiers like Command Sgt. Maj. Morrison who obtain the distinction of being selected as the Command Sergeant Major really reflect the epitome of success in their chosen field," said Letcher. "Except for Sergeant Major of the Army, there is no higher grade or rank for our enlisted soldiers, and there's no greater honor than to serve."

"As you assume responsibility of your new role here today, I want to stress that one of the real strengths of the United States Army is the seamless transition of its leaders," noted Letcher. "This ensures that the mission continues even when the leadership changes. We live in a dynamic world where change is an ever-present reality, and smooth leadership transitions allow us to maintain peak mission performance as we adapt to new conditions and circumstances. I'm confident that your leadership will help JMC to adapt to new challenges and to continue to perform admirably."

"Command Sgt. Maj. Morrison, we look forward to working with you. Welcome to the team." concluded Letcher.

"I'm excited to share this day with my family who trekked from Indiana to be a part of this special occasion," said Morrison during his closing remarks.

"I'm humbled to join the JMC team, whose mission is critical in supporting our nation and partners around the globe," he added. "Finding world-class munitions solutions cannot be understated in importance and delivering these solutions to the end user, the soldier, who counts on us daily in an austere environment they're operating in. I look forward to contributing with an amazing team of soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians and contractors. Thank you again for all your support, I look forward to the challenges. Provide lethality that wins!"

In attendance were JMC staff members and Rock Island Arsenal senior leaders who greeted Morrison in a receiving line at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Morrison is a native of Crawfordsville, Indiana, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991 as a Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (63B). He completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

He has held a variety of leadership positions during his career ranging from assignments at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; to Camp Essayons, Korea; to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; to Ft. Shafter, Hawaii and, recently, as the G4 Sgt. Maj., I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Morrison's military education includes all levels of Non-Commissioned Officer Education System courses. He has been awarded the Order of Samuel Sharpe from the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and the Order of Saint Barbara from the U.S. Army Artillery Corps.

The primary mission of the Joint Munitions Command is to provide the Army and Joint Forces with ready, reliable, and lethal munitions at the right place and time to sustain global operations. JMC produces small-, medium-, and large-caliber ammunition items for the Department of Defense. It is the logistics integrator for life-cycle management of ammunition from cradle to grave. JMC manages the storage, distribution, demilitarization, and production of conventional ammunition for all U.S. Military Services.