21st Theater Sustainment Command Receives New Command Sergeant Major

By Maj. Vonnie WrightJune 3, 2022

Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus assumes command of 21st TSC
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, incoming senior enlisted advisor, right, Maj. Gen. James Smith, commanding general, center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard, outgoing senior enlisted advisor, 21st Theater Sustainment Command prepare to walk on Daenner Field to conduct the Change of Responsibility ceremony. Command Sgt. Maj. Primus will serve as the 19th Command Sergeant Major, June 03, on Daenner Field in Kaiserslautern, Germany. His previous assignment was Command Sergeant Major of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, a 21st TSC unit. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Katelyn Myers) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Katelyn Myers) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus assumes command of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus takes charge of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command as the 19th Command Sergeant Major, June 03, on Daenner Field in Kaiserslautern, Germany. His previous assignment was Command Sergeant Major of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, a 21st TSC unit. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Katelyn Myers) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Katelyn Myers) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus receives guidon from Maj. Gen. James Smith
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, 21st Theater Sustainment Command incoming senior enlisted advisor, receives the guidon in preparation to accept responsibility from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard, 21st Theater Sustainment Command outgoing senior enlisted advisor, during a change of responsibility ceremony in Daenner Kaserne, Germany, June 3, 2022. The passing of the guidon during a change of responsibility ceremony is a symbol of the transfer of authority from one senior enlisted advisor to the next. (U.S. Army photo by PV2 Samuel Signor) (Photo Credit: Pvt. Samuel Signor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. James Fox plays US National Anthem at change of responsibility
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. James Fox with U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus play the United States National Anthem at Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard and Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus's Change of Responsibility June 3, Kaiserslautern Germany. The Change of Responsibility was held at the NCO Field on Daenner Kaserne and welcomed incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus. Sgt. Fox conducted a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at the request of Command Sgt. Maj. Howard's relinquishment of responsibility and retirement after 32 years of service. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Katelyn Myers) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Katelyn Myers) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus gives his remarks
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, incoming 21st Theater Sustainment Command senior enlisted advisor, gives his remarks during a change of responsibility ceremony in Daenner Kaserne, Germany, June 2, 2022. Command Sgt. Maj. Primus is the 19th Command Sergeant Major for 21st TSC. (U.S. Army photo by PV2 Samuel Signor) (Photo Credit: Pvt. Samuel Signor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard gives final remarks
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard, outgoing 21st Theater Sustainment Command senior enlisted advisor, gives his final remarks during a change of responsibility ceremony on Daenner Kaserne, Germany, June 3, 2022. A change of responsibility ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority of one unit’s senior enlisted advisor to the next. Howard will retire to Colorado Springs, Colorado after 32 years of service. (U.S. Army photo by PV2 Samuel Signor) (Photo Credit: Pvt. Samuel Signor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard receives guidon
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard, 21st Theater Sustainment Command outgoing senior enlisted advisor, receives the guidon in preparation to relinquish responsibility to U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, 21st Theater Sustainment Command incoming senior enlisted advisor, during a change of responsibility ceremony in Daenner Kaserne, Germany, June 3, 2022. The passing of the guidon during a change of responsibility ceremony is a symbol of the transfer of authority from one senior enlisted advisor to the next. (U.S. Army photo by PV2 Samuel Signor) (Photo Credit: Pvt. Samuel Signor) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN - Soldiers, Friends and Families of Team 21 welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, senior enlisted adviser, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, June 3 as he succeeded Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard during a change of responsibility ceremony on Daenner Field.

This is a huge day for both Sergeant’s Major, but this is especially true for Howard as this is the end of a 32-year Army journey.

Maj. Gen. James Smith, commanding general, 21st Theater Sustainment Command gave him high praise on his Army career and tenure within the command as he compared him to Maj. Gen. Charles Draper William Canham, who was one of the first to land at Omaha Beach during WWII and later became the deputy commander of the 8th Infantry Division.

Historically, Maj. Gen. Canham was accompanied by two of his Soldiers to receive the surrender of the Germans at the German command headquarters of General Ramcke.

Upon entrance of that headquarters, he was stopped and asked for his credentials by General Ramcke.

Without hesitation, he turned to his Soldiers and told General Ramcke that these were his credentials.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Howard these Soldiers out here on the parade field and the thousands more they represent are your credentials. I’ve heard this is how you wanted to end an illustrious 32-year career, with your Soldiers by your side. You’ve done that.”

Yet, in his true fashion, Howard marched right up to the podium and gave every bit of credit to his Soldiers.

“Maj. Gen. Smith thank you for these kind and sincere words,” said Howard. “I truly feel that I’m not worthy of them that’s just how I feel. The real heroes are out there on this field. That’s just how I was raised.”

Serving in five decades and six presidential administrations that very well may be true.

Howard enlisted in 1989 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. From serving in Desert Storm and taking cover from SCUD missiles to his multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom he has deployed 8 times in service to this nation.

Yet, his time at Team 21 is where he truly shined.

Howard was at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic for the unit making countless inspiring videos, physically checking on his Soldiers’ welfare and reassuring Families during town hall discussions bringing hope and inspiration to the theater.

His true care for his Soldiers during times of limited movement and restricted access during the pandemic was shown through his actions by personally leading the improvement of 22 Forward Operating Sites with high-speed Wifi access, brand new gym equipment and state of the art recreation centers to boost the morale during stressful times all over the world for our deployed Soldiers that they continue to enjoy today.

Howard carried that same People First mentality while making history during Operation Allies Welcome. His treatment of the Afghan travelers was equal to the same empathy and compassion given to his Soldiers.

“I personally witnessed you care for the over 10,000 Afghan travelers we had in our care at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, a hefty portion of the 30,000 travelers that entered through Ramstein Air Base,” said Smith. “No matter the operation and task that was given to this unit, you always selflessly put People First. Our Soldiers are successful today because they know you cared for them every day, without fail or thought of personal gain; you even cared for them more than you cared about your own welfare.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Howard again addressed these accolades and thanked the Soldiers for making it all possible.

“To all the G-Staff, Colonels, and Sergeants Major this is the most organized professional resilient group of leaders I have ever had the privilege to serve with,” said Howard. “From the bottom of my heart thank you for all your countless hours of sacrifices you’ve made over the last 30 months that I’ve had the privilege to watch you perform at the highest of levels day in and day out. You made all this possible. Not me.”

Howard will now travel to his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and finally, take a knee and provide himself with plenty of self-care with his family as he will enjoy his retirement.

Command Sgt. Maj. Primus will pick up where Howard left off and continue to care for Team 21 Soldiers.

He is no stranger to this command as he just relinquished responsibility of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, where he too, made history.

Primus was instrumental in helping Team 21 through two Defender rotations, supporting over 22,000 Afghan travelers during Operation Allies Welcome, and fully activating all of 405th AFSB’s Army Pre-Positioned Stocks for the first time in the unit’s history in support of operations in Ukraine.

Witnessing Primus’s hard work and leadership firsthand, Maj. Gen. Smith gives his new battle buddy a warm welcome.

“Catrina and I welcome you, your wife Genesis, and your two sons Cristian and Caiden here today,” said Smith. “I look forward to leading our team to many successes with you, and I know you will take this team to new heights.”

Primus, filled with gratitude, gave thanks to the command and the Soldiers for the opportunity to lead again within the unit.

“Sir, thank you for the trust and confidence and for the opportunity to lead such a world-class organization that continuously makes things happen for U.S. Army Europe and our NATO Allies,” said Primus. “I look forward to serving alongside you, the Soldiers, DA Civilians, and the Family members of Team 21.”

In great Army tradition as one impactful leader leaves, another one replaces the void and carries the team forward. Team 21 will now continue to set the theater in Europe and Africa under Primus’s wise counsel and leadership.