FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Brooks relinquished responsibility of the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to Command Sgt. Maj. Tabitha Gavia during a ceremony at John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex Friday.
During the opening remarks, Col. Kirk Eggleston, GLWACH commander, thanked everyone for attending and said this was a monumental day for the hospital.
"It's one of those moments that is bittersweet and we see them a lot in our military careers, where we say goodbye to outstanding individuals, outstanding people, outstanding leaders and we welcome new leaders with outstanding potential coming to us with a vast array of experience to fill that roll," Eggleston said.
Eggleston said the enforcement of standards is a critical portion of what our noncommissioned officers do and what our command sergeants major as senior enlisted advisors are called upon to do.
"(Brooks) has done that in the most outstanding fashion I think I have ever seen," Eggleston said. "He ensures the standards are enforced across the board fairly, without favoritism, and strives to do that every day, making sure that our Soldiers are living up to the standards that are set for them and if not, he ensures they get the training and counseling they need to meet those standards."
"As we say farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Brooks -- it's always big shoes to fill -- but Command Sgt. Maj. Gavia has the right credentials to do that," Eggleston added.
"(Gavia) has been in every type of AMED unit … and so, she brings a great wealth of experience across the AMED that is going to be a true blessing to our organization."
Following the "Passing of the Sword," Brooks and Gavia shared a few words with the gathered troops and guests.
"I want to give a special thanks to our Soldiers and civilians from GLWACH for coming out today to say farewell to Jennifer (Brooks) and I," Brooks said. "It doesn't seem likes it been a long time since we were in this very same room. Time has flown since we have been here at Fort Leonard Wood and it's been an exceptional place to live and work."
"Everyone here has been awesome -- there are no other words to describe it," Brooks added. "In 26 years of service, this has been one of my most favorite assignments … the people here have been the finest I have ever seen."
Gavia wished Brooks and his family the best in their assignment at Fort Bragg, N.C. and thanked them for their support during her and her family's transition to Fort Leonard Wood as well as the Soldiers, civilians, contractors and Family members of GLWACH.
"The privilege to lead, mentor and develop Soldiers is an honor and I consider it the highest honor to be a part of a team that is responsible for caring for our nation's sons, daughters and their Families," Gavia said. "It is our mission to defend the dignity of life and I am humbled that I have the privilege to serve with you."
"I vow to you today that I will continue to uphold the standards of excellence that you have set," Gavia added.
Gavia joined the Army in 1988 as a Pershing II Missile Electronic Repairer and later reclassified as a Radiology Specialist. She has served in the 41st Ordnance Company in West Germany; Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Wash.; Troop Support Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fort Polk, La.; Denver Recruiting Battalion in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.; 21st Combat Support Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas; and the 65th Medical Brigade in Korea.
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