Garrison Sgt. Maj Takes Responsibility

By James Williams IIIJuly 10, 2025

Fort Irwin, Calif. – July 10th

Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles assumes responsibility of Fort Irwin Garrison as the post Command Sgt. Maj. during a ceremony held at the Sandy Basic Community Center, 10 July 2025,.
1 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles assumes responsibility of Fort Irwin Garrison as the post Command Sgt. Maj. during a ceremony held at the Sandy Basic Community Center, 10 July 2025,. (Photo Credit: James Williams III) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Photo by Jack J. Adamyk
2 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Photo by Jack J. Adamyk (Photo Credit: Jack J. Adamyk) VIEW ORIGINAL
NTC & Fort Irwin Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate, speaks prior to the the Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Change of Responsibility ceremony held at the Sandy Basic Community Center, 10 July 2025,.
3 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – NTC & Fort Irwin Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate, speaks prior to the the Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Change of Responsibility ceremony held at the Sandy Basic Community Center, 10 July 2025,. (Photo Credit: James Williams III) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Photo by Jack J. Adamyk
4 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Photo by Jack J. Adamyk (Photo Credit: Jack J. Adamyk) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Photo by Jack J. Adamyk
5 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Photo by Jack J. Adamyk (Photo Credit: Jack J. Adamyk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sgt. Maj. Jerald J. Stephens poses with his spouse during the Fort Irwin Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony, 10 July 2025, where he relinquished the duty and returns to the Fort Irwin Department of Emergency Services.
6 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Jerald J. Stephens poses with his spouse during the Fort Irwin Garrison Change of Responsibility ceremony, 10 July 2025, where he relinquished the duty and returns to the Fort Irwin Department of Emergency Services. (Photo Credit: James Williams III) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Steven L. Chadwick, the Fort Irwin Garrison Commander passes the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles 10 July, 2025 as he assumes responsibility as the Fort Irwin Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. during a ceremony held at the Sandy...
7 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Steven L. Chadwick, the Fort Irwin Garrison Commander passes the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles 10 July, 2025 as he assumes responsibility as the Fort Irwin Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. during a ceremony held at the Sandy Basic Community Center. (Photo Credit: James Williams III) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin form a color to guard during Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles Assumption of Responsibility ceremony 10 July, 2025 held at the Sandy Basic Community Center.
8 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin form a color to guard during Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles Assumption of Responsibility ceremony 10 July, 2025 held at the Sandy Basic Community Center. (Photo Credit: James Williams III) VIEW ORIGINAL
Mrs. Lyles, spouse of Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles, receives a bouquet of yellow roses as a welcome gift for her and her family during her husband's Assumption of Responsibility ceremony 10 July, 2025 held at the Sandy Basic Community...
9 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Lyles, spouse of Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles, receives a bouquet of yellow roses as a welcome gift for her and her family during her husband's Assumption of Responsibility ceremony 10 July, 2025 held at the Sandy Basic Community Center, Fort Irwin, Ca. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

, 2025 - Command Sgt. Maj. DeMarius M. Lyles has assumed responsibility of the Fort Irwin Garrison as the post Command Sergeant Major during a ceremony held at the Sandy Basic Community Center. Col. Steven L. Chadwick, who assumed command exactly one month ago, served as the Reviewing Officer in farewelling interim Command Sgt. Maj. Jerald J. Stephens and welcoming Lyles as his command partner for the next two years.

Fort Irwin and the U.S. Army National Training Center’s mission is to prepare the nation’s fighting forces for global conflict; the garrison’s mission is to sustain the Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members that are stationed or employed here.

Lyles gained his leadership experience by ascending the Combat Engineering ranks and deploying, more than his fair share, to several combat and training missions around the world.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Fort Irwin community and am excited to know you all and work with the directorates,” said Lyles during his remarks. “I’d like to thank my wife and family for coming with me and allowing me to keep serving.”

Lyles, arriving from Fort Benning, Ga, is accompanied by his spouse and two of their children; their third is currently serving in the Army on active duty.

Stephens, who’s served in the position since April, is accompanied by his wife and will return to Fort Irwin’s Department of Emergency Services as the Senior Enlisted Advisor.

“I can’t express the gratitude that I have for Command Sgt. Maj. Stephens, over the past several months he has made my job easier by handling so many issues behind the scenes, that by the time they got to me, they were already under control,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate, the NTC and Fort Irwin Command Sgt. Maj.

“Sgt. Maj. Stephens has made my transition seamless; he has taught me much… and represents a model example for aspiring NCOs to emulate,” added Chadwick. “Command Sgt. Maj. Lyles joins the Guardian Team with a well-established reputation for excellence; having twice served as a Command Sgt. Maj.”

RELATED STORIES