Photo By Master Sgt. Brian Hamilton | Command Sgt. Maj. Rocci R. DeRezza speaks to the Soldiers of the 108th Training...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Responsibility of the Golden Griffons changed hands between two men with almost seven decades of experience between them, Nov. 15.
Maj. Gen. Leslie Purser, commander of the 108th Training Command (IET), hosted a change of responsibility ceremony on Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where Command Sgt. Maj. Robert J. Riti assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Rocci R. Derezza.
“Former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Julius Gates said it best. ‘A noncommissioned officer’s job is not easy and we expect a lot from those who are selected to lead, train, and care for the best Soldiers in the world.’ I am confident Command Sgt. Maj. Riti will exceed those expectations. He represents every Soldier in this command. It’s his responsibility to ensure they are properly trained, disciplined and ready to accomplish any mission the Army has to offer,” said Purser.
Riti, a native of Yonkers, New York, brings nearly 37 years of experience to the 108th and to this day, lives by the six words the Army made a household name in 1980.
“Be all that you can be was the Army’s slogan for about 21 years and for good reason. It worked. It inspired a nation of young people to become their best by entering into military service. The Army allows us to be whatever we want to be. You just have to want it bad enough. Today is proof. It certainly worked for me,” said Riti.
“But ‘be all that you can be’ sometimes takes a lot more than personal desire. It takes leaders that take the time to mentor their Soldiers, to put them on the road to success, to keep them on track.”
Representatives from the 95th, 98th, and 104th Training Divisions were present at the ceremony, which included the traditional passing of the noncommissioned officer sword.
The sword is symbolic of the “razor sharp” leadership that noncommissioned officers add to the modern American warfighter. Dating back to 1840, the sword that was worn by sergeants in battle for over 70 years now represents the passing of responsibility from one noncommissioned officer to another. What once was used as a weapon in combat during conflicts like the Civil War and Spanish-American War has now become a symbol of tradition and leadership.
“To me it’s about leadership. By passing that sword to the commander, who in turn passes it to the incoming command sgt. maj., you are entrusting them, as the senior noncommissioned officer in the unit, with the training, welfare and well-being of every enlisted Soldier, Warrant Officer, and Officer in that unit,” said DeRezza.
Among the many distinguished guests present at the ceremony were the commandant and deputy commandant of the United States Army Drill Sergeant School, Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian and Sgt. Maj. Edward Roderiques Jr., as well as Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis J. Woods, U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training Command Sgt. Maj.
Of the many achievements under DeRezza’s tenure, one of his most memorable includes bringing the One Army School System to the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. The One Army School System establishes common standards for individual training between the active Army, Army Reserve and National Guard.
“I have been here for three years to this very day and it’s been an honor serving with the 8,500 Soldiers in this command. As I’ve said many times before, we do one thing and we do it well - train Soldiers. Together, we achieved some great accomplishments and there is no doubt that Command Sgt. Maj. Riti and the 108th Training Command will continue that legacy long after I’m gone,” added DeRezza.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2014 19:50 |
| Story ID: | 147980 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
| Hometown: | YONKERS, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 1,276 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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