83rd Army Reserve Readiness Training Center has new senior enlisted leader

By G. Anthonie Riis |Fort Knox NewsAugust 29, 2019

83rd Army Reserve Readiness Training Center has new senior enlisted leader
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83rd Army Reserve Readiness Training Center has new senior enlisted leader
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83rd Army Reserve Readiness Training Center has new senior enlisted leader
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83rd Army Reserve Readiness Training Center has new senior enlisted leader
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In a change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Knox's Waybur Theater Aug. 16, 83rd U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Center's senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Roderiques Jr., relinquished responsibility to the incoming advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Corey Thompson.

Commander of 83rd ARRTC, Col. Steven Egan, presided over the ceremony, and he praised Roderiques for being the unit's mainstay in a time of transition and trial.

"The 83rd continu[ed] to excel as an academic institution. … The ARRTC has repeatedly exceeded the standards in instruction and Soldiering, and every academy has been accredited by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command as an institution of excellence," said Egan. "Command Sgt. Maj. Roderiques has been the brigade command sergeant major during these events, and I can attest that the 83rd is better for his leadership. With his sage counsel, the 83rd moved from U.S. Army Reserve Command to the 100th Division. There was friction and challenges, but with [his] leadership, the ARRTC never faltered in its mission."

Egan said the incoming command sergeant major's reputation preceded him by the praises of his predecessor.

"You know you have a good leader coming in when the outgoing leader is singing his praises," said Egan. "Command Sgt. Maj. Roderiques has told me, with conviction, that Command Sgt. Maj. Thompson is the right leader for the job."

Speaking to Thompson, Egan said, "You have a reputation as being fair, trustworthy, dedicated and selfless. You will fit right in with the exceptional and tenacious Soldiers we have in the 83rd."

Roderiques said he could speak with confidence about Thompson's leadership because of his prior experience with him.

"This is the second consecutive time [Thompson] is backfilling me," said Roderiques. "Corey, I know that you're going to take this place to the next level because we've done this before … and that is what you did."

Thompson thanked Roderiques for setting the stage and said he was committed to the task before him.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Roderiques, I can't say enough. Once again you have set me up for success. Thank you for allowing me to inherit such a successful brigade," Thompson said. "It is important to maintain continuity, but it is just important to welcome change. I look forward to this change."

Thompson said he will look to everyone in the organization to build on the 83rd's firm foundation and to lead the training center forward.

"The 83rd has a history of great leadership, and I will do my best to continue that history as your command sergeant major," Thompson said. "I will be that 360-degree leader. I will lead south the Soldiers under my care and to the north to influence those with authority over me. I will lead east and west, impacting my peers. Most importantly, I will stay humble and vigilant to maintain that my own compass' needle remains centered."

Roderiques is pending his next assignment.

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