FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning swapped out its top enlisted Soldiers on Monday.
CSM Chris Hardy took over the position during a change of responsibility ceremony behind the Ridgway Hall headquarters building. He replaces CSM Earl Rice, who leaves for Fort Bragg, N.C., to become command sergeant major of the 18th Airborne Corps.
Hardy had been command sergeant major of the 75th Ranger Regiment, which he vacated March 22. He's spent roughly half of his 24-year Army career at Fort Benning, where he first arrived for Infantry one station unit training after enlisting in January 1986.
"As I headed through the gates for the first time, I never would've dreamed I would one day address such a distinguished group like this as the post command sergeant major," said Hardy, the second Soldier to assume the role since the MCoE was stood up in October. "This is an awesome privilege I've been given, and I'm excited to get going and get started.
"I have an opportunity to influence Soldiers as they get ready to go out into the operational Army, and many of them will go to units that are getting ready to deploy overseas to Afghanistan and Iraq. Being able to counsel and mentor those Soldiers ... from this position is probably the biggest thing I have to look forward to."
MG Michael Ferriter, the MCoE and Fort Benning commanding general, has a long history with Hardy. The two met in February 1987 when Hardy was a private first class and both were assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment's 2nd Battalion at Fort Lewis, Wash. Hardy served there as a squad leader, team leader, grenadier and gunner.
"He was and is the epitome of a warrior and professional and doing what's right," Ferriter told the audience.
They worked closely together before at Fort Benning when Ferriter was commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and Hardy served as battalion operations sergeant and later the C Company first sergeant.
"It is a good relationship," Hardy said. "We have a good, solid foundation for teamwork. And I can see expanding upon that as we chart through the course for the additional transformation of the Maneuver Center."
Hardy's first combat deployment came in Somalia with Task Force Ranger. He has deployed several times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He previously was command sergeant major of the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; and 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky.
Hardy's immediate goals include visiting brigades and directorates within the Maneuver Center and around the installation to see "what they do (and) what their footprint looks like," he said.
"Soldiers can expect me to lead by example, to set the example and be a common-sense leader - and know that I will enforce the standards," he said.
Rice, meanwhile, arrived at Fort Benning last May, about a month ahead of Ferriter. The two had never collaborated before.
"(But) I could tell this was going to be a great linkup," Ferriter said.
Ferriter called Rice the "top salesman for Fort Benning," saying he never stopped talking about the evolution of combat training and development here. Rice also played a big part in choosing key leaders around post by demanding they lead from the front.
"He held the line there," Ferriter said. "Good units have standards, but great units enforce standards ... He made it very easy for all of us. He carried the burden and made the tough calls."
Rice said Fort Benning is the Army's premier installation for developing Soldiers and leaders. He lauded cadre members for constantly focusing on relevant skills needed in today's fight and incorporating changes to help "break the perception that basic training has gone soft."
"We're producing quality Soldiers and 'Big Army' knows it," he said. "When senior leaders call, we answer, 'Yes we can. Yes we will.' We'll make it happen. We do not say no."
Rice thanked the tricommunity, military and civilian leaders - past and present - at the ceremony for their support during his short tenure.
"I've had the honor and the privilege to work with some of the best Soldiers, civilians, retirees and leaders in our Army," he told the audience. "I want to thank you all for your friendship, your dedication, and most importantly your service and sacrifice for our great nation."
Rice praised the selection of Hardy, saying his successor is a "combat-proven and tested leader."
"He's the absolute right leader to take this great organization to the next level - and he will," Rice said.
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