WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 16, 2010) -- The 11th command sergeant major of the Army Reserve was sworn in Tuesday at the Pentagon after filling the position for nearly two months.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Schultz served as the top NCO for Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan before replacing the now retired Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie as top noncommissioned officer in the Reserve this January.
"This is not a thing taken lightly ... this is a person who represents 150,000 enlisted Soldiers," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve about Schultz's new position.
Stultz, (not to be confused with Schultz), said there were four characteristics he was looking for in a new top NCO. Stultz said he wanted someone that lives leadership, that he would have ultimate trust and confidence in, someone he felt comfortable representing the Army Reserve, and someone who would be a good battle buddy.
After considering several sergeants major, Stultz gave Schultz an "interview" -- in Afghanistan.
Schultz fit the bill.
Since taking the job, Stultz and Schultz have visited nine countries together.
"You can see, he's hit the ground running," said Stultz. "He's already getting out there, he's already talking to Soldiers, he's already making changes."
Schultz, also a police officer in his hometown of Tampa, Fla., said it is an honor and privilege to be chosen.
"This is obviously the pinnacle of my career," Schultz said. "I owe it to the Soldiers ... I'm going to give you 100 percent while I'm in this position."
Of the opportunity, Schultz said it is "kind of surreal," to have made his way through the ranks from a private all the way up to command sergeant major of the Army Reserve.
One of Schultz's priorities while holding his new position is helping to "reshape the force." He said some ranks in the Army are over-strength while others are lacking personnel.
"Part of this reshaping is to have the right people in the right positions," he said.
Schultz didn't give specific numbers or percentages by which he'd like to see the over-manned ranks shrink.
But he did give advice for those enlisted in the Army Reserve, "Stay on point on taking care of Soldiers."
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