DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – The U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command’s top non-commissioned officer, Command Sgt. Major Jerry Charles, retired in an outdoor ceremony held at Detroit Arsenal June 24.
“Command Sergeant Major Charles has been a trusted advisor whom I’ve relied on time and time again,” said Maj. Gen. Darren Werner, TACOM commanding general, in remarks made during the ceremony to an audience of TACOM team members as well as friends and family members.
“Throughout his career, he’s demonstrated the ability to really make a positive impact on what’s going on around him,” the general added. “He talks to people, and most importantly, he listens to people. That’s been the secret to his success.”
“Command Sergeant Major Charles and his Family are an incredible military family. His wife, Vanessa, has contributed to the Army right alongside his career, wherever the Army sent them.”
“Thank you for leading the way, Command Sergeant Major Charles. You will be missed,” Werner added.
Charles’ retirement ceremony capped an Army career spanning more than 29 years. Along the way, he held non-commissioned officer leadership positions from squad level to the division level. His service culminated with more than two and a half years as the TACOM Command Sergeant Major and senior enlisted advisor focusing on quality of life issues for Soldiers, civilians and Families across the command as well as the training of junior non-commissioned officers and Soldiers.
In his own comments made during the event, Charles thanked everyone who had an impact on his career, including Vanessa, for enduring “eleven duty locations, eleven houses, and always one home.”
Charles concluded his comments with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt and a reminder to put people first in keeping with the Army’s top priority, stating, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
The Charles Family, including daughter Daisa and son, Jerry, Jr., will relocate to the Houston area.
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