8th TSC conducts a change of responsibility ceremony

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- The 8th Theater Sustainment Command held a change of responsibility ceremony March 23 at Hamilton Field on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as Command Sergeant Major Maurice V. Chaplin passed the senior enlisted mantle to CSM Frank M. Graham Jr.

Hosting the socially-distanced ceremony was Maj. Gen. David Wilson, commanding general, 8th TSC. “Today we celebrate the professionalism embodies in two of the finest noncommissioned officers in our Army,” said Wilson, adding, “as we honor them, we are reminded of the critical importance of the NCO corps.”

Joining the unit in September 2018, Chaplin, a Jacksonville, Fla. native, served as CSM for 30 months. He is set to retire from 32 years of active service on April 16.

“Today is a bittersweet day as my time as the command sergeant major of the greatest TSC in the Army comes to an end,” Chaplin said. “To serve in a leadership position is a privilege. Let me say that again: to serve in a leadership position is a privilege – one that we should never take lightly.”

“When you are in a leadership position you should always lead from the front and set the example, something that I always tried to do in this organization serving as your command sergeant major,” Chaplin said.

“Command Sergeant Major Chaplin’s leadership, mentorship and guidance to over 5,000 officers, warrant officers, enlisted Soldiers and civilians across this entire U.S. Indo-PACOM area of responsibility has been magnificent,” Wilson said, while wishing Chaplin and his wife, Karmia, safe travels to their retirement home in Florida.

“He’s well respected, comes highly recommended from all who’ve served alongside of him, and when I interviewed him amongst five other candidates, he stood out as the best in class,” Wilson said of Graham. “We’re gaining a jewel on this team, and I’m proud to have him.”

“Being selected to serve in the capacity of the 8th TSC Command Sergeant Major is truly an honor and a privilege,” Graham said. “I will not take this opportunity lightly. I am a team concept leader, and look forward to building teams and relationships at all levels of this command.”

Hailing from Gulfport, Miss., Graham has been in active service since 1991. He, along with his family, including wife, Patricia, and three children, most recently served as the CSM of the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.