FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- A New York state native assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted adviser for 10th Combat Aviation Brigade during a ceremony Friday at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.
During his nearly 30 years of Army service, Command Sgt. Maj. Chad Cuomo, of Troy, has never been stationed at Fort Drum. He was attached to 10th Mountain Division (LI) during a 2008 deployment as an aviation task force sergeant major.
"I'm proud to be here," Cuomo said. "There's great camaraderie, and the organization has a great reputation. It's the people that make the place."
Cuomo brings nearly 30 years of experience to his position. As a leader who has a passion for solving problems, he will be visible to Soldiers, and he will take every opportunity to train and teach his subordinate noncommissioned officers.
"To paraphrase Colin Powell, a man I admire very much, 'the day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you're no longer an effective leader,'" Cuomo said.
For Col. David Francis, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade commander, the strengths of his new command sergeant major were evident in just the first few days of his arrival at the unit.
"As impressive as his resume is, there is one aspect of Command Sgt. Maj. Cuomo's leadership repertoire that is clearly evident," Francis said, "and that is his laser focus on training Soldiers for combat and taking care of Families. In the short time he has been here, we have already felt the impact of his vision, his demand for the highest standards, and his passion for our profession."
Joining Cuomo for the ceremony was his wife, Linda, and their youngest son.
"We are equally blessed to have Linda Cuomo as part of our command team. Linda is equally passionate about taking care of our Families."
Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Escalara, who has served as interim brigade command sergeant major since June, will return to 277th Aviation Support Battalion, Task Force Mountain Eagle, 10th CAB.
"I would like to extend my personal appreciation to Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Escalara," Francis said. "Command Sgt. Maj. Escalara has served as the brigade command sergeant major for the past two months, and (he) did an incredible job helping me to transition into the brigade."
The brigade is preparing for a busy year, which will include rotations to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calf.; Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.; and High Altitude Mountain Environmental Training Site in Colorado in preparation for its next mission.
"To the Soldiers in formation today, your new command sergeant major is on board," Francis said. "As we train and prepare for the next mission, you can rest assured that Command Sgt. Maj. Cuomo will be with you every step of the way."
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