FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers and Family members watched online and gathered on Manhart Field at Fort Carson Aug. 20, 2021, to welcome Sgt. Maj. Angel L. Del Valle as the senior enlisted leader for the 918th Contracting Battalion during an assumption of responsibility ceremony.
The change of responsibility has a long historical past, one that heavily revolves around the unit colors. The flag signifies more than unit representation. The flag symbolizes the past, present and future, and it is entrusted to the senior NCO of the unit.
Lt. Col. Amy A. Saal, commander, 918th CBN, passed the battalion colors to Del Valle entrusting him with the guardianship of the unit and its members. Under this new role, he is responsible for the health, welfare and readiness of not only the Soldiers but their Families, as well.
“Today is a great day for our Army and the unit as we celebrate Sgt. Maj. Del Valle as the newest member of the 918th Contracting Battalion command team,” Saal said. “I personally have been looking forward to this day for a long time, after a three-month vacancy in the sergeant major position, it’s been great to have a battle buddy again.”
Saal welcomed the Del Valle Family back to Fort Carson after a 12-year absence; he had previously served in multiple positions at the Mountain Post. His other assignments included Florida, Kansas, California, Georgia, Italy and Korea, as well as serving on four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Del Valle came from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and Saal said she looks forward to the wealth of knowledge he will impart on the unit.
Historically, the term sergeant major was introduced in the late 1700s, and the position is steadfast, as the senior enlisted leader continues to serve as a senior trainer, mentor and advocate.
“I am confident Sgt. Maj. Del Valle is the right person for the job at the right time,” Saal said. “I know he will honor the corps of noncommissioned officers through his personal example and will always place the mission and the welfare of our Soldiers, civilians and their Families first.”
Del Valle thanked Saal for making his transition to the unit an easy one.
“I am humbled to stand here before you today and join such an incredible team,” he said. “It is both my privilege and an honor. I look forward to serving the Soldiers and the Families and our civilians.”
Del Valle thanked his Family for standing by him through his nearly 20-year career and said he knew the 918th CBN was special by the way everyone came together to take care of a unit member who passed.
“I am excited to serve and look forward to building upon the great reputation of this organization,” he added.
Like many Soldiers, Del Valle has had to leave his Family time and time again over the years. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for his Family’s sacrifice as he attended military training, schools and deployments. He conveyed his appreciation for his wife of 23 years, Nereyda, and their three children, Monica, Vanessa and Armando, who all attended the ceremony.
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