Fort Polk gets new top senior enlisted Soldier

By Chuck Cannon, Fort Polk Guardian staff writerMay 10, 2010

Fort Polk gets new top senior enlisted Soldier
Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Greca (left), Brig. Gen. James Yarbrough, commander, JRTC and Fort Polk (center) and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Hof, incoming command sergeant major for JRTC and Fort Polk, move ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT POLK, La. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Hof became the senior enlisted Soldier for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk during a change of responsibility ceremony May 4 on Fort Polk's Warrior Field.

Hof began his remarks by thanking Brig. Gen. James Yarbrough, commander, JRTC and Fort Polk, for the chance to serve here.

"Sir, thank you for having the confidence in my potential and past leadership experience to give me this enormous opportunity to be the JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major," Hof said. "It is extremely gratifying to be a part of your command vision which has been the energy behind the momentum of erasing the stigma associated with being assigned at Fort Polk."

Hof noted the patriotic mindset of Louisiana's residents.

"We have an amazing community, from local parishes all the way to the state capitol, that have truly expressed their dedicated devotion to our Soldiers and their Families for the sacrifice they have endured supporting the nation's call to arms," he said. "What a unique time to be a part of Team Polk."

To outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Greca, Hof expressed thanks.

"You will never know how much I have learned from you in such a short period of time," he said. "I'm appreciative of your mentorship, friendship, professionalism and your example of overwhelming vigor at being the Team Polk command sergeant major. I hope to sustain the same vigor and energy you have established."

After thanking Family members and friends, Hof closed by saying he was excited to be a part of Team Polk.

"We have a vibrant future and an extraordinarily gifted team here at the JRTC and Fort Polk, Home of Heroes," he said.

When it was Yarbrough's turn at the podium, he bid farewell to Greca and welcomed Hof to Fort Polk.

"We're in luck," Yarbrough said of Hof's selection. "As we scanned the Army, we got a ton of hugely talented candidates who wanted the job. It was up to me to sort through the ones I didn't know. Early in the process, it was crystal clear to me the very best man for this job was Jeff Hof. He's got it all."

Yarbrough listed Hof's assignments and achievements; then added Hof is the perfect Soldier for the job.

"He shares our vision for Fort Polk," Yarbrough said. "He knows where we've come from and where we're trying to go to make this a premier installation where the mission, the people and the facilities are first class, and Soldiers are demanding to return here to serve."

Yarbrough also thanked Greca for his service as he heads to his new assignment as command sergeant major of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. N.Y.

"Command Sergeant Major Greca, we couldn't have done it without your leadership and help," he said. "You leave a lasting legacy."

Hof comes to JRTC and Fort Polk from his position as command sergeant major, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. His previous assignments included stints as squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, operations sergeant and command sergeant major at battalion, brigade and garrison level. He has two operational deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He is a graduate of Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder and Ranger schools, in addition to all of the Noncommissioned Officers Education System schools and various leadership courses.

His awards include two Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit and four Meritorious Service Medals. He's also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Military Freefall Badge, German Parachutist Badge and German Schutzenschnur (Silver). His is also a member of the Sergeant Morales Club.

Hof has been married to his spouse, Stephanie, for 26 years. They have one daughter, Bianca.