Photo By Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt | Col. Robert E. Lee Magee, commander, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored...... read more read more
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Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Williamson relinquished responsibility of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Oliver at the brigade headquarters January 11, 2018.
Williamson will retire May 1 after 28 years of honorable service to the U.S. Army.
Starting off as a cavalry scout and retiring as a brigade combat team command sergeant major, Williamson did not expect his life to take the path it did. He is very pleased that he fulfilled his childhood dream of being a Soldier.
“I have never wanted to be anything but a Soldier since I was a small boy, and I have been lucky enough to do just that for almost three decades,” said Williamson.
His years of service have not only impacted Williamson’s own life, but also the many Soldiers he has led throughout his career.
“He and his bride, Tonna, have faithfully served the Soldiers of the brigade as mentors, friends and sounding boards,” said Maj. Claude E. Hoffman, chaplain, 3 ABCT, 1 AD. “Our lives are much richer today by the journey alongside these great Americans.”
“Mike Williamson was the backbone, the voice of reason and, on occasion, the iron fist that enforced standards throughout this brigade,” said Col. Robert E. Lee Magee, commander, 3 ABCT, 1AD. “As the senior enlisted advisor for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team and my right-hand man, I cannot thank him enough for the counsel, wisdom and experience.”
“Command sergeant major definitely doesn’t look at Soldiers as a number,” said Pfc. Mitchell Duncan, the command sergeant major’s driver. “He’s very hands-on with his people, and I appreciate that.”
Williamson, however, does not give himself the credit, but praises all of the Soldiers in his formation.
Before Williamson’s change of responsibility ceremony, he addressed the formation saying, “I don’t have anything bad to say over the last two years since I’ve been here. What I can say is that you have my deepest appreciation and admiration for the work you put into this formation no matter what the mission was. You are what makes the brigade go, and I’ll miss you.”
Williamson also gives credit to his wife, Tonna, who is an essential part of who he is. She is well known throughout the brigade and the installation and received the Commander’s Award for Public Service before the ceremony.
Oliver, the incoming senior enlisted advisor, and his family join the brigade from Fort Stewart, Ga. Oliver, his wife, Diana, and his two children return to 1 AD to continue a long history with the division that began in Germany.
“It is a great day for me and my family to return here to America’s Tank Division,” said Oliver.
| Date Taken: | 01.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2018 20:29 |
| Story ID: | 262098 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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