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    Gardner relinquishes responsibility of 7 ATC

    CSM Gardner hands colors to BG LaNeve during relinquishment of responsibility ceremony

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Stewart | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gardner II, the senior enlisted advisor of 7th...... read more read more

    GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, GERMANY

    05.21.2019

    Story by Sgt. Christopher Stewart 

    7th Army Training Command

    Grafenwoehr, Germany— Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Gardner II, the senior enlisted advisor for the 7th Army Training Command (7th ATC), bid farewell to the command during a relinquishment of responsibility (ROR) ceremony at the Tower Barracks Fitness Center, May 21, 2019.

    Gardner spent the last two years connecting with local leaders and Soldiers stationed in Bavaria.

    “My love of the Oberfalz (translated as Upper Palatinate, a district in Bavaria) is well known,” said Gardner. “I love the land and the people here.”

    As the senior enlisted advisor, Gardner counseled Brig. Gen. Christopher LaNeve on all matters on enlisted Soldiers and their readiness within 7th ATC’s footprint. During the RoR, LaNeve commented on his great appreciation for Gardner’s consistency and performance.

    “As the CSM for 7th ATC, Lou has had a hand in training and ensuring the readiness of every unit in U.S. Army Europe and a majority of our partners,” said LaNeve.

    Gardner often shared highlights of his career which has spanned from private to sergeant major.

    “I was at Camp Aachen as a private and we weren’t allowed to leave but I wanted to take a photo of the water tower,” Gardner said. “The CSM of 7th ATC at the time saw me on what was then a golf course; he gave me corrective training right there. I was sweating profusely. Nowadays when I walk out on that grass I can go to that spot and say I have DNA that remains on that parade field."

    Gardner is scheduled to PCS to the Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama this summer. He is scheduled to replace Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest D. Bowen, Jr.

    “I’m very pleased to say that this was the highlight of my career,” said Gardner.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.21.2019
    Date Posted: 05.22.2019 12:04
    Story ID: 323426
    Location: GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, DE

    Web Views: 784
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN