FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The 3rd Chemical Brigade held a change-of-responsibility ceremony on Tuesday in Baker Theater, where Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Johnson relinquished his role as senior enlisted advisor of the brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. Kiana Bell.
Speaking at the ceremony was Col. Fredrick Parker, 3rd Chemical Brigade commander, who listed some of Johnson’s accomplishments during his 22 months as the unit’s command sergeant major — these included setting up the unit’s first Expert Soldier Badge and Expert Infantry Badge testing site and helping transform more than 24,000 men and women into Soldiers.
“Because of your leadership, 3rd Chemical Brigade produced Soldiers of high character, and each Soldier left our brigade just a little bit better,” Parker said.
Johnson has “the formula for success,” Parker added.
“Show up early. Work hard. Stay late. Have a plan to deliver on your promises to your teammates. Share in their hardships. Show your cadre that you care about them. Admit your mistakes — and did I mention work hard?” Parker said. “You knocked all of those targets down, sergeant major, and I thank you so much.”
Johnson always did the right things for the right reasons, which is the foundation of a great leader, Parker said.
“You crushed it. You have been noble, honorable, and you have been a role model wrapped with exceptional integrity,” Parker said.
Parker called Bell, who most recently served as the command sergeant major for the 84th Chemical Battalion here — and is the 3rd Chemical Brigade’s first female command sergeant major — a “perfect fit” for the position.
“You are going to make a great addition to the brigade,” Parker said. “Our Soldiers are getting a great command sergeant major. Know that we have confidence in you to build on the exceptional foundation that Sgt. Maj. Johnson left for you.”
Johnson next moves on to Fort Hood, Texas, where he will assume responsibilities as the command sergeant major for U.S. Army Operational Test Command. He called it his “sincere honor and distinct privilege” to serve as the brigade’s 11th command sergeant major.
“It has been an honor to watch this team step into the ring every day and accomplish the missions (the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence) and the (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Regiment ask us to do,” Johnson said. “It is impossible to question this team’s commitment to excellence.”
To Parker, Johnson offered his thanks for the trust and confidence.
“I learned from you every day, and I will never forget your mentorship,” Johnson said.
Bell called it an honor to stand before the brigade “on this momentous occasion.”
“I am grateful for this opportunity and the significance of this appointment is not lost on me,” Bell said. “I truly stand on the shoulders of giants and consider myself blessed to be able to continue to serve with the men and women who forge the Army’s leaders of tomorrow today. I look forward to strengthening current relationships and building new ones, so that we may continue the Army’s business of inspiring America’s sons and daughters to be all they can be and training them to do so.”
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