1 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light, incoming senior enlisted advisor for the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, says a few words during the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. “I could not get here fast enough,” said Light. “It is the honor of a lifetime to come serve in this division.” The assumption of responsibility ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that formally commemorates the responsibility entrusted to the senior noncommissioned officer by the unit commander. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jason Greaves)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Jason Greaves)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, provides remarks welcoming Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light and his family to America's Tank Division during the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. Light assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted advisor of the 1st AD and Fort Bliss. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jason Greaves)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Jason Greaves)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Katheryn Light, spouse of incoming 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Command Sgt. Maj. Light, receives yellow roses during the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. The roses signify the friendship that is extended to Katheryn Light as she is welcomed into the Iron Family. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Greaves)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Jason Greaves)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light, incoming senior enlisted advisor for 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, receives the division colors from Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, commanding general of 1st AD and Fort Bliss, during the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. The ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that formally commemorates the responsibility entrusted to the senior noncommissioned officer by the unit commander. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Greaves)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Jason Greaves)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Cannons fire to render honors during the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. The honors are usually rendered to the commanding general, however Maj. James P. Isenhower III, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, deferred honors to Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light, incoming senior enlisted advisor to 1AD and fort Bliss. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Oniel McDonald).
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Oniel McDonald)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light, senior enlisted advisor for the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, and his wife Katheryn cut a 1st AD cake welcoming them to the unit during a reception following the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. The Light family is coming from Fort Novosel after serving with the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Greaves)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Jason Greaves)VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light, incoming senior enlisted advisor for the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, receives the division colors from Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, commanding general of 1st AD and Fort Bliss, during the 1st Armored Division Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Bliss June 2, 2023. The ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that formally commemorates the responsibility entrusted to the senior noncommissioned officer by the unit commander. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Oniel McDonald)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Oniel McDonald)VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT BLISS, Texas – Soldiers, leaders, families, El Paso community leaders, and guests gathered on Iron Soldier field here June 2 to witness the newest 1st Armored Division command sergeant major’s assumption of responsibility ceremony.
Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light assumed the reins as the new “Iron 7” following Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Williams, who recently retired.
“I could not get here fast enough,” said Light. “It is the honor of a lifetime to come serve in this division.”
This is not the first time Light has served with the 1st AD, he had previously worn the Iron Patch as a tank commander and platoon sergeant while the division was stationed in Germany.
His career spans over 20 years. During that time, he has held every leadership position from tank gunner to brigade command sergeant major. His deployments include two tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as tours to Egypt, and Kuwait. His most recent assignment was serving as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.
While delivering his remarks, Light thanked the guests who attended and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to assume the mantle of leadership with the division. His main focus, however, was speaking to the Soldiers in the formation on the field, referring to them as the true guests of honor.
“You are what meets the enemies on the field of battle and wins in close combat, you and you alone,” said Light. “The leaders of this division are here to help ensure that you have the resources, the training, and the leadership required to do that.”
He went on to add, “I am valuable to this command because I represent you. The wreath I wear belongs to the Soldiers I lead. The wreath is yours and a daily reminder to me of what I am for.”
Social Sharing