FORT LIBERTY, N.C. - U.S. Army Forces Command welcomed a new command sergeant major and saluted its retiring command sergeant major during a Sept. 8 change of responsibility ceremony at the command’s Fort Liberty, N.C., headquarters.
Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims retired with nearly 36 years of military service during the ceremony following three years advising the FORSCOM commander on all matters related to manning, equipping and training conventional Army forces units from Fort Drum, N.Y., to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. FORSCOM includes active-duty Soldiers, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Army National Guard forces.
Command Sgt. Maj. TJ Holland became the 24th command sergeant major of U.S. Army Forces Command during the military ceremony attended by more than 200 command representatives, friends and family members. Holland arrives at FORSCOM from the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, where he served for three years as the command sergeant major there.
“Here at Forces Command, our top Soldier in the Command Sergeant Major role needs to be proven in combat, fit, driven, expert in warrior tasks, an inspiring communicator and leader to each of the many types of Soldiers, civilians, family members on our team,” said Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command. “Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims has been the right leader for the job. I am fortunate to have served by his side … and I am proud to continue serving alongside Soldiers who have learned from his example.”
“This career, this community has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” Sims said.
Sims thanked family, former commanders he served with and mentors, and said many officers, noncommissioned officers, Soldiers, families and Department of the Army civilians have helped him along the way.
“You know, I switched over to the Army after four years in the U.S. Marine Corps because I saw so many opportunities available to me as a Soldier,” Sims said. “It is humbling to consider that 30 years later, I’ve had the chance to help make those same opportunities available for NCOs and Soldiers across FORSCOM.”
Poppas also recognized the incoming command sergeant major’s skill and service.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Holland knows warfighting.” Poppas said. “A paratrooper who has led Soldiers in five different geographic combatant commands and he has led FORSCOM Soldiers at the division and corps levels. He arrives ready to lead and set the example.”
Poppas continued, “command Sgt. Maj. Holland is here to drive the highest standards for warfighting, discipline, and culture.”
Holland said he is honored to serve as the next FORSCOM command sergeant major and is looking forward to joining the team. He recognized and thanked his family, friends, fellow Soldiers and leaders who helped him both as a Soldier and leader.
“I couldn’t imagine a better organization to be a part of,” Holland said. “I will do everything I can to meet your expectations as a leader. I plan to maintain the trust of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps. FORSCOM has the best selection of Soldiers and leaders and I feel fortunate to have the call sign ‘Freedom Seven.’”
The change of responsibility is a simple yet traditional military ceremony rich with symbolism and heritage. The key to the ceremony is the passing of the colors. The soul of a military unit is symbolized by the colors under which it fights, for the colors represent not only the lineage and honors of the unit, but also the loyalty and unity of its Soldiers.
Holland's bio can be found on the FORSCOM Website: https://www.forscom.army.mil/
Social Sharing