JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Washington (Aug. 12, 2020) -- Members of the 902nd Contracting Battalion welcomed their new sergeant major during an assumption-of-responsibility ceremony July 31 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Sgt. Maj. Beethoven Jacques assumed responsibility as the battalion’s senior enlisted leader in a ceremony officiated by Lt. Col. Kevin Shilley, commander of the 902nd CBN.
Jacques became the first non-contracting professional sergeant to serve in the 902nd CBN. The Spring Valley, New York, native was one of four from the Army Quartermaster Corps, military occupational series 92, selected by the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy from a class of 708 to serve as a battalion sergeant major in a contracting battalion.
“Today marks a first for the 902nd Contracting Battalion family as we welcome a sergeant major from a different career field,” Shilley said in his welcoming remarks during the ceremony. Shilley added that he “looks forward to Sergeant Major Jacques’ knowledge, perspective and the leadership that he will bring to the team, and he welcomes the candid feedback and sage advice from this phenomenal leader.”
Jacques commended his parents for instilling discipline and good work ethics as well as his wife, Jamila, for always being by his side to listen and encourage him.
“To the Soldiers of the 902nd, the last two weeks I’ve had the chance to observe many of you in action. I must say I am very impressed, so keep up the good work. To MICC-JBLM and the 902nd CBN, please know one thing; I am here to serve you, so please use me,” Jacques said.
Jacques enlisted in the Army in May 2001 as an Automated Logistic Specialist. He has accomplished all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System to include U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 70. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from the University of the Incarnate Word and is pursuing a Master of Science in Network Design and Security from Liberty University.
The assumption-of-responsibility ceremony included the passing of the battalion colors, which symbolize the heritage and history of the organization as well as unity and loyalty of its Soldiers. As the new battalion sergeant major, Jacques is the keeper of the colors.
The battalion also bid farewell to Master Sgt. Keita Lyles, who served as the 902nd CBN sergeant major. Lyles departed to attend the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 71.
About the MICC:
Headquartered at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,500 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. As part of its mission, MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitate training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.
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