Photo By Master Sgt. Tyrone Marshall | Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Ruiz accepts the Noncommissioned Officers Sword from Col....... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade's top enlisted Soldier relinquished responsibility during a short ceremony rich with the tradition of the Non-commissioned Officers Corps at Wheeler Army Airfield, July 25.
Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Kingston, the brigade's top enlisted leader for the past three years, passed his responsibilities on to Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Ruiz in the form of a sword continuing a 168-year old tradition of the NCO Corps.
Speaking in front of the 25th CAB, and Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, Col. Michael Lundy bid farewell to his trusted senior advisor as he moves on to Fort Rucker, Ala., and welcomed a familiar face.
"[Command] Sgt. Maj. Kingston has been an icon within this brigade, and we are truly going to miss him," said Col. Michael Lundy, commander, 25th CAB. "He is a Soldier's Soldier and a good man. He has led from the front and always set the example and has been an essential part of the success of this brigade. Thanks for all you have done. You truly love all our Soldiers and, most importantly, you truly love being a Soldier."
"We've got a great man to take his place," continued Lundy. "[Command] Sgt. Maj. Ruiz coming up from 3-25. He knows this brigade and you know him. He also loves being a Soldier and he loves our Soldiers. And that's what I expect out of a sergeant major and I have the utmost trust and confidence that he's going to be the very best."
To the applause of his Soldiers, Kingston showed his appreciation as he thanked the current and former commanders of the "Wings of Lightning" Brigade and all its Soldiers for their hard work during the past three years under his charge.
"To Col. Ball and Col. Lundy, I appreciate the honor and privilege of your trust in me, to allow me to serve as the brigade sergeant major," said Kingston. "There are only 11 [combat aviation brigades] in the Army right now so to get this opportunity and trust – I truly appreciate it."
He continued, "It's been three years ago today, that right back up here at the park, I became the [command] sergeant major of this brigade. So I want to thank the most important people real quick. To the people that make this the best aviation brigade in the Army – the Soldiers. Thank you for getting after the Army and this brigade's mission everyday. You are the heroes of your generation no doubt. To the NCOs – thank you for your tireless efforts to train, care, maintain and lead our Soldiers. It's a difficult job ... I've truly loved this job and this brigade. "
Following the former's remarks, the 25th CAB's new brigade command sergeant major spoke to his Soldiers.
"I just want to say 'thank you' to everybody. [Command] Sgt. Maj. Kingston thank you very much for what you've done for us since I've been here and even before. And I know everybody out there really appreciates what you've done for us so thank you very much."
Ruiz also thanked 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regt. for its support and success which inspired him during his time as the battalion sergeant major. He also passed his assurances of continuing the 25th CAB's success to the brigade commander.
"Sir, thank you very much for having the trust and confidence in me and there's no question that we're going to get the job done."
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2008 22:14 |
| Story ID: | 21849 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 301 |
| Downloads: | 186 |
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