Photo By Terrance Bell | Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence T. Scarborough accepts the Transportation Corps colors from...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (Jan. 29, 2019) -- “It’s an honor to lead and continue the legacy of the 13th Transportation Corps Command Sergeant Major who has paved the way through modernization, talent management, and more importantly, in caring for our Soldiers, civilians and their families.”
Those were the thankful acknowledgements of Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence T. Scarborough as he recognized the work of his predecessor following the traditional passing of the branch colors during the Transportation Corps Change of Responsibility ceremony Jan. 25 in the Wylie Hall auditorium.
Scarborough replaced CSM Vickie G. Culp at the event that was officiated by Col. Jered P. Helwig, Chief of Transportation, and attended by roughly 200 community members, including many senior military and civilian leaders.
In his welcoming remarks, Helwig lauded both of the top enlisted Soldiers, saying each are expert trainers; experienced technical and tactical advisors; and mission monitors who constantly work to improve operations.
“By all accounts,” he said, “those sergeants major on the stage exemplify the characteristics and embody the standards that are the hallmarks of the U.S. Army.”
During his time at the lectern, Scarborough, a native of Hartford, Conn., thanked his family, friends and supporters as well as all who worked on staging the event. He went on to say he looks forward to continuing the work of his predecessor through constant engagement.
“By way of professional dialogue and continued adaptation, the Transportation Corps can continue to align with the Army’s vision and operating concept to prepare for large-scale, ground combat operations,” said the motor transport operator-trained Soldier. “Therefore, I vow to work in close association with the teams of talented professionals in order to set conditions while supporting the commander’s priorities so we can deliver the best logistician and/or capability to the Army.”
Scarborough comes to Fort Lee from the 598th Trans. Brigade at Sembach, Germany.
Command Sgt. Maj. Culp, who always speaks with a high level of vivaciousness, started her remarks with a stroke of comedy.
“Can y’all see me?” she asked a laughing audience while making adjustments to a lectern about as tall as her. Culp went on to pay her respects to a long list of people and organizations who she said made a difference during her tenure.
“I just want to say thank you,” she acknowledged. “This is truly a Team Lee story. We communicated and collaborated (to get the job) done.”
Not least, Culp thanked Helwig, the third COT she has served under.
“Sir, I know our time seemed short, but in my mind it wasn’t,” she said. “From day one, you trusted in me and our relationship developed. I will be forever grateful knowing that for my last division (level-position) I had an awesome battle buddy, which makes leaving bittersweet.”
During his speech, Helwig said Culp was the “complete package.”
“I’ve rarely seen someone – officer or NCO – who was able to work off of commander’s intent and communicate the commander’s vision like Command Sergeant Major Culp,” he said. “She easily transitioned from tactical to strategic. She connects the dots, and she articulates the finer points in a masterful way.”
Among Culp’s accomplishments, listed by Helwig, is the transformation of advanced individual training for transportation students with several tactical enhancements; working to craft a cooperative degree program for trans. Soldiers with Kaplan University; and writing a new professional development efficiency code for transportation sergeants major.
Those accomplishments, he continued, “pale in significance to the impact you’ve had on hundreds of Soldiers in your distinguished career.”
Though a better part of Culp’s speech was spent in gratitude, the remainder focused on various tidbits of advice. Among them – work as a team, lead a balanced life, ask for help when it is needed and set the example.
Perhaps, the most meaningful was this piece on impacting young Soldiers:
“We have to respond properly to the challenges these fine young Soldiers are confronted with,” she said. “We have to hand them a better Army.
“If we do, they will not let us or themselves down,” Culp said. “I know they will build upon what they were given, and the future of this great country is safe in their strong, resolute young hands.”
Culp assumed duties as the Trans. Corps senior enlisted leader in July 2016.
She is scheduled to retire but did not disclose her post-Army plans.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2019 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 308684 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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