Photo By Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato | U.S. Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Ian Coyle, San Francisco, California resident and...... read more read more
By Maj. Michelle Lunato, 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training)
Fort Benning, Georgia—U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and family members of the 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training) gathered together to bid farewell to their division command sergeant major and welcome a new one, during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony in Marshall Hall on April 15, 2018.
The outgoing division command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert T. Priest, stood before his Soldiers for the last time as he passed the NCO Corps Sword to the incoming division command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Ian L. Coyle.
Priest, a native of Lafayette, Indiana, served as the division command sergeant major since March 2015. And according to the Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Miles A. Davis, the commanding general of the 98th Training Division (IET), Priest could not have done a better job. “Command Sgt. Maj. Priest has led from the front at all times and has been absolutely tireless in his efforts to ensure all actions required to support the Soldiers, Soldier training, and successful mission accomplishment have been conducted to the highest of standards.”
Over the years, Priest oversaw the division move through a complex reformation; graduate over 150 new Army Reserve drill sergeants; complete several iterations of Echo Missions where 98th Soldiers helped in Cavalry and Infantry One-Station-Unit Trainings, as well a Basic Training rotations, that brought more than 7000 new Soldiers to the force; and manage the CONUS Replacement Center Mission in Fort Bliss, Texas that processed more than 20,000 Soldiers, civilians and contractors. Through all these missions and moving parts, Priest has improved the readiness of not only of the Soldiers, but the entire division, said Davis, a Livonia, Michigan resident. “Command Sgt. Maj. Priest has pushed the Soldiers of the 98th Training Division to be the best, and accepted nothing less.”
The outgoing command sergeant, who started his military career as a Marine, is known for nothing but service, excellence and character, according to Davis. “He has been my Iroquois battle buddy and friend for almost 30 years. And he is, without question, the finest noncommissioned officer who I have ever served with in my entire career. I will serve with him any place, anywhere, any time.”
With genuine appreciation, the commanding general of the 98th Training Division then thanked his battle buddy—his command sergeant major, for all he has done.
When Priest took the stage, his first thank you went out to his family who had given him unwavering support through all the long years and endless responsibilities. He also gave out a special, heartfelt acknowledgement to his son, Staff Sgt. Kameron T. Priest of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment-Fort Benning, Georgia. “My son just got back from Afghanistan—his fourth deployment, and I am seeing him for the first time today…I am so proud of him and the Ranger Regiment. You’re my hero Kamron. Welcome home.”
Next, Priest thanked the Soldiers of the division for their continued commitment to be excellent. Throughout his time as an Iroquois Warrior, the command sergeant major said he could not have been more proud of the Army Reserve Soldiers in his ranks. “The 98th Training Division has a stellar reputation across the force…every time I go somewhere and get comments, it’s always been positive. And I’m proud of the fact that they want and need us…our Soldiers just do great things.”
Once an Iroquois Warrior, always an Iroquois Warrior though, said Priest who will still have his finger on the division pulse since his next assignment is to serve as the 108th Training Command (IET) Command Sergeant Major, replacing Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Riti, who will retire in July.
Before leaving the podium, Priest said he could not leave out his battle buddy and commander. “I’ve know a lot of great commanders, and he’s pretty awesome. He cares about the noncommissioned officers. He cares about the Soldiers. He wants to be there with them when things are important.”
After a few handshakes and hugs, it was then time to introduce, the new division command sergeant major. “Command Sgt. Maj. Coyle comes to the 98th Training Division with broad experience and a proven track record,” said Davis.
Though Priest did a great job in the division, as Soldiers, the job is never done, said Davis. With the passing of the sword, comes great responsibility, which now belongs to Coyle. “We look forward to all the great things you will do to continue to take this division to even higher levels. Make your mark. And welcoming to the 98th.”
Coyle, a San Francisco, California resident, came to the podium to address his commander and Soldiers for the first time as the division command sergeant major. But before that, he said he had to thank his predecessor. “Thank you Command Sgt. Maj. Priest. You have been a pillar of excellence that has pursued greatness in all that the 98th Division Warriors do. You will be missed by many. You have left me a wonderful organization to serve, as a servant leader.”
Serving is nothing new to Coyle, who has served in both the Active and Reserve components. He comes to the 98th Training Division after serving as the interim command sergeant major for the Medical Readiness Training Command and the command sergeant major for 2nd Medical Training Brigade.
With the 98th Training Division (IET) being headquartered at Fort Benning, the Army experience has come full circle for Coyle who started his military career by graduating from Infantry One-Station-Unit Training on the same base in 1982. Coyle is also not new the roles, responsibilities and challenges of being a drill sergeant. He served as a drill sergeant and then as a senior drill sergeant in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He even had the reasonability to train Soldiers to be come drill sergeants themselves when he served as drill sergeant leader.
And with an ever-present drive to help mold Soldiers, the new command sergeant major offered himself to his Soldiers, saying he looked forward to serving them in all endeavors. “I give you my heart and my will, which there is an abundance of. Hooah! Tell me your problems. Tell me your stories. Help me make you great…”
And with that, Coyle kept his remarks short and to the point and ended by thanking Davis for the opportunity to serve as his new command sergeant major. “I do not take this task lightly. It’s a great honor and a great gift you have given me. I’m humbled, excited and motivated. I will help you create great warriors who are ready and lethal for any task the Army is called upon to do.”
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2018 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 274494 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, US |
| Hometown: | LIVONIA, MICHIGAN, US |
| Hometown: | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 450 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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