Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond A. Butler was officially welcomed to the 193rd Infantry Brigade during a March 22 assumption of responsibility ceremony at Victory Field.
The "Bayonet" Brigade was re-activated at Fort Jackson in 2007 with a new mission: Transforming civilians into Soldiers. Since then, 193rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Col. John C. White said the brigade has seen many disciplined, confident and caring leaders pass through its ranks.
"In typical Army fashion, we have another such leader in Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Butler," White said. "Simply by reading his biography, you can tell that the Army got it right once again when they selected him to be brigade command sergeant major."
This isn't the first time Fort Jackson has appeared in Butler's biography. Early in his career he found himself tasked with forging new Soldiers as a drill sergeant, a role he didn't appreciate until later.
"If someone told me 15 years ago when I was a drill sergeant that I'd be returning here to assume responsibility of a brigade, I probably would have laughed at them," he said.
At the time, he said he was anxious to take off the "brown round," the campaign hat worn by Army drill sergeants.
"You might not believe me, but all of you drill sergeants are going to miss being a drill sergeant," he said. "You're going to miss having so much influence on people's lives. All these civilians you turn into Soldiers are going to remember your name for the rest of their lives."
"Just think about how awesome a responsibility that is," he said. "If you find an 80-year-old veteran eating at (a local restaurant) I guarantee he's going to remember who his drill sergeant was."
White said Butler has experience at every level, from infantry team leader to his last position as battalion command sergeant major.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Butler brings the right qualities, training abilities and mindset to this brigade," White said.
"I really appreciate everything that you've done to help me and my Family get acquainted with this organization," Butler told White. "It's a testament to how professional his organization is that I feel I'm already ready to start contributing to the team. I think we're going to take the 193rd to the next level."
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