FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Nov. 10, 2021) Command Sgt. Maj. William Taylor assumed his responsibility as the garrison command sergeant major in a ceremony with Col. Rhett Taylor, garrison commander, in front of the Fort Sill’s Taylor Hall today.
“If those in the audience have not picked up on it yet, effective today Command Sgt. Maj. Taylor and Col. Taylor work together as part of the garrison command team at Taylor Hall,” said Col. Taylor. “And if you think that Taylor and Taylor at Taylor Hall sounds like a law firm, you’re really not too far off, because the second and third floor of this building has nothing but lawyers in it.”
Taylor Hall also houses the Staff Judge Advocate main offices as well as the garrison command team. The garrison command group has been without a command sergeant major for six weeks and Col. Taylor said the impact a command sergeant major has on an organization should not be underestimated.
Command sergeants major serve a critical role in our Army as they advise units, unit commanders, build and maintain relationships through frequent and transparent communication on and off the installation and take care of our Soldiers, families and Department of the Army civilians, said Col. Taylor.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Taylor will also partner with our housing team to resolve or stay ahead of issues by bringing units in early on a situation and he will sometimes respond to interactive customer evaluation comments which we call ICE comments. And that response comes in various forms that can be going out and just verifying what was on that comment and it could be meeting with that customer who provided that comment,” said Col. Taylor. “Together he and I will welcome new Soldiers as they in process on the installation. The garrison command sergeants major also assist in the barracks and facility management.”
According to the colonel, facility and barracks management includes around 65 barracks and 4,500 buildings -- 1,800 of them are homes.
Command Sgt. Maj. Taylor said he and his family have been at Fort Sill since 2019. He has had experience dealing with barracks and housing, and dealing with Soldiers and their families as the command sergeant major of 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery until Tuesday.
“I want to say thank you to the garrison team that has been helping me with the transition over the past month,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Taylor. “You've made me feel a part of the team right away and I appreciate that. My family and I are excited for what lies ahead as we serve the Soldiers and families of this great community. I‘m honored to be standing in front of you as your garrison command sergeant major.”
He said he had some big shoes to fill, but he is up to the challenge. “Serving Soldiers and families is what I've enjoyed most over the past 23 years. I know I will enjoy these next couple of years serving the Fort Sill and Lawton community. In closing, I would like to say thank you all again for attending and say sir, I'm ready to get to work.”
To see all of the photos from the ceremony go to https://flickr.com/photos/fortsillcannoneer/albums/72157720126586853.
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