CASEY GARRISON South Korea - The 70th Brigade Support Battalion welcomed a new Command Sergeant Major July 28 during a Change of Responsibility ceremony held on Carey Field. 1st Sgt. Kevin Beldner, acting 70th BSB Command Sgt. Maj., passed the 70th BSB guidon to Lt. Col. Miguel Martinez, commander, 70th BSB. Command Sgt. Maj. Yolanda Lomax took the guidon from Martinez, signaling she will take responsibilities as Command Sergeant Major of the battalion.
"In the last 45 days, 1st Sgt. Kevin Beldner has served exceptionally well as Battalion Command Sergeant Major," Martinez said in his address to spectators and Soldiers of the 70th BSB. "He provided the essential element of continuity at the command group level, and facilitated a smooth integration of a new battalion commander, a new company 1st Sergeant, and now a new Command Sergeant Major."
Martinez went on to say Beldner had shown superior leadership ability during the cycle of leadership change of the 70th BSB.
"The Secretary of the Army established 2009 as the year of the noncommissioned officer," Martinez said. "This is to recognize the noncommissioned officers commitment to serve and willingness to make great sacrifices on behalf of our nation. I want to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for our Noncommissioned Officers Corps and its service to our Soldiers. With this said, I now welcome my new Warrior buddy Command Sgt. Maj. Yolanda Lomax. Lomax stands for 'low density; maximum capacity.'"
Martinez commended Lomax as a noncommissioned officer of the highest caliber, and one who has served with distinction in many leadership positions throughout her career.
"Lomax lives the Army values and no one is more professional," Martinez said. "Competence is her watchword."
Martinez explained Lomax was joining the 70th BSB from USAG-Baden Wuerttemberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Previous to serving in Germany, she served as Area I Command Sgt. Maj. from June 2003 to May 2006.
"It feels great to be back in the land of the morning calm," Lomax said in her address. "I stand here today with boots on the ground, committed, poised and ready to take on the responsibility as the Command Sergeant Major of the 70th BSB. I am truly humbled as I become a member of the Blacksmiths, Fires Brigade, and 2nd Infantry Division team. I take great pride in standing shoulder to shoulder with a battalion of noncommissioned officers and to live the creed of the noncommissioned officers who are consummate standard bearers that carry the torch for discipline, courage and teamwork. I take pride in knowing that the Warriors of this battalion are the enduring centerpiece of this august division."
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