“King of Battle!” Command Sgt. Maj. Fluharty visits 1st Infantry Division

FORT RILEY, Kan. - U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Paul L. Fluharty, the 15th Command Sergeant Major of the Field Artillery, visited the 1st Infantry Division on May 10, 2023.

Fluharty joined the 1st Inf. Div. Artillery to conduct physical training and visited the field artillery units throughout Fort Riley to assess their status and readiness. Fluharty also provided an update on the state of the field artillery branch during a panel discussion at Barlow Theater.

“The panel discussion was very informative. We discussed manning, weapon systems, promotion evaluation, and responsibilities,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Graytok, a fire control specialist assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 1st Inf. Div.

The panel had a part where the noncommissioned officers provided their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives to Fluharty to bring back to Fort Sill.

“Today really provided insight,” Fluharty said. “I am able to take a lot of valuable points with me, which will help drive change within the branch.”

Fluharty received a certificate of appreciation from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McLaughlin, the 1st Inf. Div. Artillery command sergeant major.

“We are grateful that Command Sgt. Maj. Fluharty could come out here,” McLaughlin said. “It means a lot that our noncommissioned officers and Soldiers were able to learn from him.”

Fluharty left Fort Riley Soldiers and non-commissioned officers with a closing speech about how to be a good leader that gets the best out of their subordinates.

“Leaving today, I get to adopt what Command Sgt. Maj. Fluharty spoke about into my leadership,” Graytok said. “I will take his advice on being an engaged leader and noncommissioned officer as well as the discussed traits of leadership, such as caring about a Soldiers personal life and their goals.”