FORT LEE, Va. – The Sustainment Center of Excellence welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Marco A. Torres as its new senior enlisted leader during a change of responsibility ceremony June 24 in the Lee Theater.
Torres last served as the Army Sustainment Command CSM at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. He has been part of the Army Family since August 1987. His operational experience includes deployments to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Maj. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, commanding general of the Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, presided over the ceremony that included the traditional passing of the organization’s colors from outgoing senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge C. Escobedo, to his replacement. The departing CSM is rotating into the same leadership position Torres held at the ASC.
“We have two amazing command sergeants major with us here today,” Simerly acknowledged in remarks at the ceremony. “Both are dedicated servant leaders to their Soldiers, their teams, their families and our nation. We have been blessed to have two years with CSM Jorge Escobedo and his service and are blessed to be welcoming CSM Marco Torres to the CASCOM team.”
When Simerly arrived at Fort Lee in July 2021, Escobedo had already been on the job for a year, and the CG noted how he “pulled up a ringside seat to observe his magnificent leadership … and profound impact across the sustainment enterprise.”
“His vision and leadership resulted in groundbreaking innovation within our command and across the community,” Simerly said. “He presided over the training of hundreds of thousands of Soldiers, civilians, joint and multinational students. … And most importantly, he was a valued advisor to leaders at all levels in this command.”
Juxtaposing the difficulty of saying goodbye to “such an amazing Soldier and his family,” Simerly pointed out, is the opportunity to welcome an “equally outstanding leader with a stellar career.”
“He has excelled in some of the most challenging assignments the Army has,” Simerly said. “He is a proven leader and a master of the sustainment field. … It is an honor for Cindy and I to welcome you and your family to the CASCOM and Fort Lee team, sergeant major. I know you’ll find this assignment rewarding, and I know that together we’ll make a difference.”
Next to speak, Escobedo first talked about the opportunity bestowed upon him when Simerly’s predecessor, Maj. Gen. Rodney Fogg, looked beyond his background as a typically desk-bound human resource specialist and recognized his leadership capabilities as a multifunctional sustainer.
“Because of the trust you placed in me, I had the privilege to serve as the command sergeant major of this great organization,” Escobedo said. “I have no words to express how much I appreciate everything that means. Sir (MG Fogg), I would serve with you anytime.”
His remarks from there were true to form, coming from an individual who seldom boasted, if at all, and preferred quiet observation above in-your-face leadership bravado.
“Today is not about me,” Escobedo said. “It’s about recognizing CASCOM and its tremendous members who on a daily basis … make invaluable contributions in training, education and development of the best sustainment professionals this Army has ever seen. [This team] trains over 242,000 professionals on a yearly basis across 5 branches and 57 MOSs – accounting for 35 percent of TRADOC output, which I believe is the largest in the Army.”
He highlighted the work of the command’s three noncommissioned officer academies and the branch schools here that are leading the way in revolutionizing institutional training and development.
“I really thank you for allowing me to serve as your command sergeant major,” Escobedo concluded. “I know as I depart that CASCOM is getting an exceptional leader in CSM Torres. I am truly excited for this command and look forward to witnessing how he makes a positive impact on our Army and Sustainment war-fighting functions.”
Last to speak, was CSM Torres who kept his remarks short and to the point.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected to serve as the command sergeant major for CASCOM,” he confirmed. “To the Soldiers and civilians who make up the CASCOM team, thank you for the warm welcome. Keep me straight – I have a little bit of a learning curve – but I am confident you will help me out, and I look forward to working with you.
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