FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment Regulators welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. David Garcia during a change of responsibility ceremony with Command Sgt. Maj. Chasitie Lee held Jan. 8 at Nicka Hall, Libby Army Airfield. The change of responsibility also served as Lee’s retirement ceremony.
“I could not ask for a better senior enlisted advisor or battle buddy to command with for the past 19 months than Command Sergeant Major Lee,” said Lt. Col. Kent Monas, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment.
Monas told the story of how his strong relationship with Lee began a few weeks after he assumed command during the Western Hemp Road Wildfire in the summer of 2023.
“As the fire threatened the 2-13th Aviation Black Tower footprint, we initially had to shelter in place and then evacuate,” Monas said. “As I sought counsel from my senior enlisted advisor, I think [Lee] told me that the battalion command team was ‘like a ship captain’ and that we had to ‘go down with our Black Tower headquarters ship.”
Lee did evacuate Black Tower but only after personally checking to ensure all personnel were safe and already evacuated from the area.
Monas said Lee’s leadership will leave a lasting impact on the large cohort of noncommissioned officers and that her presence will be missed throughout the organization.
“Command Sergeant Major Lee, you will truly be missed,” Monas said. “You know that your regulator family is proud of you and to have served with you. We’re excited to see you and your family embark on the next adventure together.”
Monas said that while the Regulators are sad to see Lee go, Garcia has all the tools to be another outstanding leader for the team.
“Command Sergeant Major David Garcia is more than up to the challenge ahead as I can personally attest,” Monas said. “We served together in combat in Afghanistan throughout 2017.”
Monas concluded his speech by saying he was excited to welcome Garcia to the Regulator family and is looking forward to serving alongside him once again.
Following the speech from Monas, Garcia took to the podium to introduce himself to the team, thank everyone for attending, and speak about how excited he is to help lead the Regulator family.
“Joining the military 19 years ago, I never would’ve dreamed that I would attain the rank of sergeant major, let alone become a battalion command sergeant major,” Garcia said. “It was only through the diligent mentorship of countless leaders throughout my career that I’m able to stand before you today.”
Garcia next spoke about the “big little shoes” he must fill with the departure of Lee. He also thanked Lee for the time she spent with him and wished her the best of luck in retirement.
Finally, Garcia thanked the leadership for entrusting him with the role of command sergeant major and told Monas he looks forward to “continuing the forward momentum that [Monas] and Lee have established in this battalion as we transform to meet the demands of tomorrow’s Army.”
Before Lee spoke to the audience, she was honored with multiple awards for her more than 24 years of service and multiple overseas deployments. She received the Legion of Merit, the Honorable Order of Saint Michael, a certificate of appreciation from former President of the United States Joseph Biden, a certificate of retirement, and finally an American flag presented by Monas.
Following the awards presentation, Lee took to the podium to thank everyone in attendance and to reflect on her more than 24 years of service.
Lee said she “didn’t serve for accolades” but served because she “loved serving in the military.”
“Over the last 24 years, I’ve grown as a leader, as a mentor and as a counselor,” Lee said. “I have made mistakes along the way, but I’ve been resilient and stayed on the path.”
Before concluding her speech, Lee thanked Monas for his leadership, guidance, trust in her, and his unwavering commitment to serving the Soldiers and civilians who work for the organization. Lee also thanked all the Soldiers and civilians on staff who work hard supporting the 2-13th mission.
Finally, Lee congratulated Garcia and his family for stepping into his new role and wished him the best of luck during his time as the battalion command sergeant major.
“You have assumed responsibility of one of the best battalions in the Army,” Lee said. “You’ve hit the ground running and have already started making an impact. You’re absolutely what this battalion needs, and everyone should be excited to see the shift in the leadership styles in the coming months.”
After Lee concluded her speech, the audience sang the Aviation Branch song followed by the Army song. Following the songs, Lee greeted Soldiers, civilians and family members who wished her the best in retirement and thanked her for her years of service.
(Editor's note: Complete photo album is available at 2025-01-08 2-13th Change of Responsibility | Flickr.)
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Electronic Proving Ground, Joint Interoperability Test Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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