Photo By Sgt. April de Armas | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Farmer, second from right, with the 82nd Combat...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Three decades of service, several deployments and countless hours of training have given one sergeant major a lifetime of stories to pass on when he retires.
The command sergeant major of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Larry Farmer, has decided that it is time to pass the guidon to the next generation of leadership and open a new chapter in his life.
Hailing from San Diego, Farmer began his career in 1983 as an aviation operations specialist after coming to the conclusion that he wasn’t living the life he wanted.
“I had no job, no money and I needed direction in my life so my dad recommended the service,” Farmer said.
More than 30 years later, hard work and dedication have paid off, earning Farmer the second highest rank of a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army.
“My first duty station was here at Fort Bragg in 1983, with this unit, when it was a headquarters battalion, and as a brand new private, I believe it put me on the right track,” Farmer said. “It showed me what leadership was all about.”
His professionalism and visible care for his fellow soldiers has commanded the respect of his troopers, peers and leaders.
First Lieutenant Gregory Carlstrom, executive officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd CAB, remembers the first time he met the command sergeant major.
“I actually met Sgt. Maj. (Farmer) here in the parking lot (at the brigade headquarters) right before we deployed in 2011. He pulled me aside to let me know that my PT (physical fitness) belt was not regulation,” Carlstrom laughed. “That let me know right away that he was definitely mindful of his soldiers and a true professional.”
During the deployment, Carlstrom had many encounters with Farmer that solidified the feelings he was already developing in his own leadership style.
“He always takes time to stop and recognize his soldiers and their hard work and he takes every opportunity to train them,” Carlstrom said. “I remember one instance: he came and held a professional development class for our NCOs and I sat in on some of them. This taught me a lot about the NCO Corps and how important their role in the Army is.”
Carlstrom has only begun his career as a junior officer but believes the impression that Farmer has left will help him be a more effective leader as he progresses through the ranks.
“As a junior officer, I still have a lot to learn about the Army and how to interact with my troops,” Carlstrom said. “As I watched him interact with the troops, it taught me what a true leader is. He is a true professional”
Sgt. Shawnte Marengo, command team noncommissioned officer, 82nd CAB, began working with Farmer in 2008 when the unit returned from one of their deployment rotations. She quickly learned how much her new senior NCO cared about the success of his troopers.
“Sgt. Maj. (Farmer) is that guy that everybody looks up to,” Marengo said. “He is the person that you can go to if you need help because he really does care about us and our success.”
Although the younger generation of troopers have gleaned knowledge and carry much respect for Farmer, his peers remember their own unique experiences as they have come up within the ranks with him.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Evans, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd CAB, has known Farmer for many years and has worked with him off and on since beginning his own career in 1985.
“We have crossed paths many times throughout the years,” Evans said. “But I started to really get to know Larry while we were in Korea back in 2006.”
Evans has seen the dedication that Farmer has to the troops and has witnessed first-hand the impact he has had.
“When we were on this last deployment, we were so busy and our guys were just overrun with mission after mission,” Evans said. “He would come and help by working as a crew member on our helicopters so I could give our guys a break. You could tell he loved it and the guys loved having him there. He is always willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with our heroes.”
Evans goes on to say that while he will miss his friend, he is grateful for the opportunity to work with him and wishes him the best as he moves on to the next stage in his life.
“He has motivated me as a leader,” Evans said. “He will be missed but I am sure he will be successful in his next adventure.”
As Farmer moves on, there are a few people who are looking forward to spending more time with him – his family.
Farmer has been married to his bride, Linda, for almost 28 years and they have two children, a son, Nathan, 24, and a daughter, Catlin, 21.
“When I met Larry, he was Spc. Farmer,” Linda said. “We have always been so proud of him and I know he is going to miss being with the soldiers.”
Linda and their children share the troopers' admiration for their leader, and say he has been just as dedicated as a husband and father.
“Even when he was deployed, we made it work through phone calls, letters and Skype. He would talk to the kids and support us even in the middle of all he was doing over there,” Linda said. “He has always loved what he did with the Army and especially the 82nd, but we are ready for the new chapter”
But don’t believe that fishing poles and rummaging through the tools in the garage are on the agenda for this sergeant major.
“He plans on continuing to work after he retires from the Army,” Linda said. “It would drive him crazy to just sit around the house. He is just too active for that.”
Linda goes on to say he will probably look for a job that will keep him involved with soldiers, since that is where he is happiest.
As Farmer wraps up his tenure by participating in the annual All American Week festivities before his final retirement party sometime in June, he has only one thing to say about leaving a legacy.
“It’s not about what I did, it’s about who I affected,” said Farmer. “Always know that what you do will affect those around you in a good way or bad way, so try to make it a good way.”
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2013 16:02 |
| Story ID: | 107477 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 932 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 82nd CSM leaves a lasting impression, by SGT April de Armas, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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