First Army Division West welcomes new senior enlisted leader

By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney HughesSeptember 25, 2023

(From right) First Army Division West’s incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti and Commander Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III salute during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From right) First Army Division West’s incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti and Commander Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III salute during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL
(From right) First Army Division West’s Commander Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III passes the First Army Division West guidon to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From right) First Army Division West’s Commander Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III passes the First Army Division West guidon to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers of First Army Division West stand in formation behind the division color guard during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of First Army Division West stand in formation behind the division color guard during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL
(From left) First Army Division West’s incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti and his wife Lisa Simonetti, and Commander Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III and his wife Lorry Ryan, pose for a photo in front of the division color guard at an...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From left) First Army Division West’s incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti and his wife Lisa Simonetti, and Commander Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III and his wife Lorry Ryan, pose for a photo in front of the division color guard at an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL

First Army Division West held an Assumption of Responsibility at the headquarters here at Fort Cavazos Sept. 21.

Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti assumed responsibility as Brig. Gen. William A. Ryan III, the Division Commander, passed him the unit’s guidon, signifying his official acceptance of responsibility as the division’s senior enlisted leader and advisor to the commander.

“Having proudly passed the Division West colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Simonetti, I know how incredibly lucky our entire division and First Army is, along with our National Guard and reserve component partners,” Ryan said at the ceremony. “He brings a broad resume of important leadership and experience relevant to our mission here at Division West and First Army. I can think of no finer warrior leader with the experience, competence, intellect, and interpersonal skills to lead this division as Longhorn 7.”

Simonetti’s wide-ranging experience brings a proven leader to the division. His leadership and broadening assignments at every echelon, in garrison and combat, will serve to improve the training and readiness of the Longhorn Division and our mobilizing or demobilizing partners.

Simonetti said he was humbled by Ryan’s ringing endorsement and expressed his enthusiasm for his new position.

“Great units do routine things routinely well,” said Simonetti. “Division West is a great unit of standards-based leaders and Soldiers. I look forward to shared hardships and successes, and continuing the great history of First Army Division West.”

First Army partners with the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army reserve, to enable Reserve Component formations to achieve readiness goals directed by the Headquarters of the Department of the Army, to deliver trained and ready units to combatant commanders around the globe.