FORT STEWART, Ga. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Jaime Lopez, outgoing senior enlisted advisor of the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, relinquished responsibility of the brigade on Dec. 15 during a ceremony at Fort Stewart. The Spartan Brigade completed reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in September 2022 in accordance with the Army's new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and the 3rd ID will complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.
Lopez, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, enlisted into the Army in 1999 as a construction engineer. He attended basic combat training and advanced individual training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After completion of his training, Lopez was assigned to the 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.
“Jaime is our azimuth for what right looks like,” said Col. Ethan J. Diven, the commander of the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “He is what right has always looked like and what right will continue to look like in our Army. He leads, he motivates and he inspires.”
After completion of his first assignment, Lopez reenlisted and was reassigned to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. Here, he would support multiple unit rotations until he reenlisted for a second time. After completing his time at NTC, Lopez was selected to serve as a drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood. For two years, Lopez transformed thousands of people from civilians to Soldiers.
Throughout his military career, Lopez deployed four times to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. He supported Operation Iraqi Freedom VII, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Resolute Support.
“Nobody creates a culture of warfighting, winning, and belonging more than him,” Diven said. “Command Sgt. Maj. Jaime Lopez, let there be no mistake. Spartan success, Spartan culture and what it means to be a Spartan is all because of your leadership. I’m humble to serve alongside you and our Army is better because of you.”
Diven made it known that Lopez leaving the brigade was a bittersweet day, but his tenure as the Spartan Brigade’s senior enlisted advisor would touch and inspire the majority of the Soldiers who worked alongside him.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez has created a high point in my career when it comes to my morale,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jennifer Sherwood, the senior enlisted advisor of the "Maintain Battalion," 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “He is a true steward of the profession, and he brings a team together with his energy.”
Lopez was saddened that he would be leaving the Spartan Brigade, but said he will be forever grateful for the time spent and experience gained at Fort Stewart.
“As we close this chapter, it has been such an amazing experience to serve as Spartan 7 for the past two years,” Lopez said. “I have had the privilege to meet the new Spartans as they join the team and tell them they were selected to be a part of the best brigade in the United States Army.”
Lopez has served as a senior enlisted leader at the company, battalion and brigade levels and has the loving support of his wife, Kori, and his five children. His next assignment will take him to Fort Shafter, Hawaii, where he will assume responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Oceans Division as the senior enlisted advisor.
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