Photo By Patrick Buffett | Col. David Wilson, Chief of Ordnance, passes a noncommissioned officer's sword to...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (March 30, 2017) -- Command Sgt. Maj. Terry D. Burton became the 13th Regimental CSM of the Army Ordnance Corps during a change of responsibility ceremony Friday in Fort Lee’s MacLaughlin Fitness Center.
Hailing from Roanoke, Burton is a 28-year Army veteran who served as a drill sergeant, a senior maintenance supervisor, a company first sergeant, and a battle staff facilitator for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy during the first two decades of his illustrious career. He also has held a variety of CSM positions to include the top enlisted spot for the 404th Army Field Support Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas. He has deployed five times in support of U.S. Central Command operations in Southwest Asia.
Col. David Wilson, Chief of Ordnance, presided over the ceremony in which the symbolic noncommissioned officer’s sword and Regimental CSM Charter were passed from Command Sgt. Edward C. Morris, outgoing enlisted leader, to Burton.
Describing Morris’ impact on the Ordnance community during his tenure of a little over two years, Wilson first referred to him in remarks as a “principal and trusted senior enlisted advisor” who proudly served three chiefs of ordnance and played a pivotal role in the success of the organization.
“As the regimental command sergeant major, he was responsible for the training of over 25,000 Soldiers for the operating force,” Wilson said. “He heavily influenced the redesign of the Ordnance Exercise and the planning and execution of the U.S. Army (Explosive Ordnance Detachment) Team of the Year Competition.
“Commander Sgt. Maj. Morris has been tireless in his efforts to promote the pride, prestige and traditions of the Ordnance Corps,” the colonel also stated. “He continually sought to develop Soldiers from initial entry up through the junior and senior NCO ranks. His tireless efforts contributed to great wins here at the Ordnance School and across the operational Army.”
More than 30 Ord. NCOs achieving induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, hundreds of individuals receiving Army Instructor Badges, and more than 7,800 Soldiers earning civilian credentials – the most of any branch in TRADOC – also are among Morris’ accomplishments. The 30-year veteran is heading to a new command-level assignment at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Keeping with tradition, Morris dedicated most of his remarks to acknowledgements of the many individuals and organizations at Fort Lee that contributed to his success. He referred to them as friends, valued subject matter experts and caring people who made it possible for him to do the job he said he loves the most, taking care of Soldiers.
“Without a doubt, this has been the most rewarding assignment of my career because of the opportunity to shape so many future leaders of our Army,” Morris said with a proud glance at the units in formation. “It truly has been a team effort. You are the foundation of my success.”
Greeting Burton and his family, Morris assured them they will be “well taken care of” at Fort Lee, and he reminded the incoming sergeant major of the “enormous responsibility” he will have on his shoulders. “I have no doubt I am leaving the care of Ordnance Soldiers in capable hands,” Morris concluded.
Burton was equally optimistic as he thanked the command for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Regimental CSM. “I’m very impressed by the professionalism of everyone I’ve met,” he said, “and I am confident that we’re going to work well together. Don’t be surprised if I seek your counsel, the Army relies on your expertise and so will I. Helen Keller once said ‘alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ There were never truer words spoken, as teamwork is a vital attribute of any organization.
“I am a proud Soldier who has an optimistic spirit,” Burton later said. “I’ve always tried to set the standard no matter the task. At the start of my career, I learned what right looked like and, as I was promoted through the ranks, I also learned what not to do. Early on, I made a conscience decision and I became the example and strived to set the standard. This is my third nominative position out of five commands, and my goal is to bring the knowledge and lessons learned from throughout my career to this position.”
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2017 09:03 |
| Story ID: | 228579 |
| Location: | ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 265 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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