Third Army Welcomes Top Enlisted Soldier

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third U.S. Army/ARCENT/CFLCC commanding general, addresses the audience during the assumption of responsibility ceremony, Aug. 24. We are lucky to have Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Ashe come and join us. He has lived the life of a Soldier, fought as a Soldier and has been recognized as an outstanding noncommissioned officer, Whitcomb said.  

08.26.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Story and photos by Sgt. Alex Licea
Third U.S. Army Public Affairs Office


FORT MCPHERSON, Ga., (Aug. 24, 2005) - It's 1975, the United States and its Armed Forces are still recovering from the post-Vietnam era. Disco music dominates the pop-culture scene, as a bright-eyed teenager from Glasgow, Mo., heads to his local Army recruiting station and raises his right hand, swearing to serve his nation.

Thirty years later, the United States is engaged in a Global War on Terrorism in response to the terrorist actions of Sept. 11, 2001 and other acts of aggression around the world.

Hip-hop culture is the rage in the world of music, movies and fashion, and that same Soldier, no longer a teenager, enters his eighth year as a command sergeant major.

Over the past three decades the world has seen many changes, but the devotion and loyalty of one bright-eyed Soldier to his country and its freedom remains the same.

Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe, who at 47 years old is entering his 30th year of service, demonstrated his commitment to the Army during an assumption of responsibility ceremony at Third U.S. Army headquarters, Aug. 24.

The ceremony transferred responsibility of "Patton's Own's" colors and Soldiers to the infantryman Soldier after the retirement of Command Sgt. Maj. Julian Kellman last spring, making Ashe the unit's new senior enlisted advisor. As the Third Army command sergeant major, Ashe also serves as the command sergeant major for the Army Component of Central Command (ARCENT) and the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC).

Despite his combat arms background, Ashe describes his new role as the command sergeant major of Third Army to be no different than if he were in an infantry division.

"A CSM's job does not change no matter what unit he or she is in," said Ashe. "We are here to help take care of Soldiers, enforce standards, maintain discipline and give good advice or recommendations to the commander. As a command sergeant major I want to get the mission accomplished, take care of Soldiers and have a good time doing it."

"I enjoy interacting with service members, whether they are Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines or civilians," he added. "That is what I enjoy the most."

Ashe's previous positions include tours of duty as the command sergeant major of the 25th Infantry (Light) Division, Hawaii; Combined Joint Task Force 76, Afghanistan; 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry (Light) Division; 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry (Light) Division Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, Fort Knox, Ky., 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.; 7th Infantry (Light) Division, Fort Ord, Calif.; 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Eglin Air Force, Fla.; 1st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Ga.; Drill Sergeant, Fort Jackson, S.C.; and 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

During the ceremony, which was broadcast live from Atlanta, to Kuwait and Qatar, Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third U.S. Army/ARCENT/CFLCC commanding general, addressed a world-wide audience. Whitcomb explained to all how fortunate Third Army was to get a Soldier of Ashe's caliber.

"We are lucky to have Command Sgt Maj. Frank Ashe come and join us," Whitcomb said. "He has lived the life of a Soldier, fought as a Soldier and has been recognized as an outstanding noncommissioned officer."

Whitcomb also addressed the importance of today's NCO in America's fighting force.

"We all know that noncommissioned officers are the backbone of the Army," said the three-star general. "I can't think of a better term that represents what NCOs do to support our Army."

"If we did not have this backbone, this Army might collapse," Whitcomb added. "We (senior leaders) are asked all the time by our allies on how they can build a NCO corps like the U.S. Army."

Ashe's military and civilian education includes, among others: Airborne, Ranger and Jumpmaster Courses; Infantry Mortar platoon leader course; amphibious assault course; jungle expert school; pathfinder school; German airborne training; drill sergeant school; battle staff course and command senior enlisted leaders" capstone course. Ashe holds an associates degree in liberal arts.

Ashe said it will take some time before he begins to form a plan of action for the future of Third Army and its members.

"I'm going to take a look around and develop my own ideas and opinions about things, while working with the commander and senior noncommissioned officers," said the Afghanistan veteran. "If something needs work, we are going to work on it."

Ashe also talked about the rigorous deployment rotation schedule he will have as "Patton's Own" senior enlisted Soldier, and the effect it will have on him and his family.

"After being over there (Middle East) for a year, being able to go back and forth for me personally is easier to deal with because I could see my family more," he said. "It's still not easy because separation of any length is hard on anybody, especially for Soldiers with children. But this is a better situation for myself and my family, especially after being in Afghanistan for a year."

Ashe's awards and decorations include, among others: the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak-leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Jumpmaster Wings, Pathfinder Badge, German Parachutist Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Ranger tab and the Orders of Saint Maurice (Centurion Award), Saint Barbara and Saint Michael.

Ashe is married to Sabine and has two children, Darby and Lewis.

• Date Taken: 08.26.2005
• Date Posted: 08.26.2005 14:48
• Story ID: 2843