Photo By Terrance Bell | Command Sgt. Maj. Ivy L. Guido sings to the tune of “The Army Goes Rolling Along”...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (June 14, 2019) -- A 27-year Soldier whose biography boasts five academic degrees along with numerous other bullet-worthy achievements is the new command sergeant major of the 59th Ordnance Brigade.
CSM Ivy L. Guido replaced CSM Perry C. Williamson during a change of responsibility ceremony June 11 in Ball Auditorium. Col. Daniel P. Ellinger, brigade commander, presided over the event that was moved indoors from Whittington Field due to wet conditions.
Maj. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, and CSM Michael J. Perry III, CASCOM CSM, were among the guests that also included military leaders from throughout the sustainment community.
Guido, who comes to the Power To Spare Brigade from Fort Jackson, S.C., was previously the senior enlisted leader for 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment – a basic combat training element. The St. Louis native also has served as an instructor and drill sergeant, and has found time to earn an associate degree as well as two bachelors and two masters degrees. His achievements speak loudly, said Ellinger, but he is just as impressive in person.
“When I first met him, I knew the Army got it right,” he said. “He is the command sergeant major responsible for the Power Brigade’s future.”
Conforming to tradition, Guido kept his time at the lectern short. He acknowledged the leadership’s presence; thanked Ellinger for the opportunity; and lauded Williamson for his accomplishments. His comments were then directed at the cadre.
“It is an honor to be joining a spectacular organization,” said the veteran of four deployments. “We will learn, develop and grow professionally.”
Williamson, who assumed CSM duties at the brigade in December 2017 under Col. Sean P. Davis, has logged 27 years in uniform. He has been trained in the military occupational specialties of technical drafting, power generator repair and ammunition specialist. He has served as a recruiter and first sergeant, and now has the distinction of serving as CSM in two different brigades.
The most challenging was, arguably, the 59th, a training entity with more than 1,000 assigned cadre and staff, and 4,500 troops learning 26 different MOSs at six locations dispersed across the country, Ellinger noted.
“No one in our brigade has been more instrumental than CSM Williamson,” the colonel said. “Every day, you would find him mentoring, teaching, counseling, leading and coaching, and developing the 10 sergeants major, the 17 first sergeants, the 20 commanders, the 100-plus drill sergeants and more than 800 instructors and support cadre.”
Among Williamson’s achievements, Ellinger cited, were the throughput of 28,000 Ordnance School graduates in 18 months; the successful execution of the Ordnance Crucible, a professional Soldier competition testing participants technical and tactical knowledge and serving to help identify future training requirements; and an expansion of the brigade’s culmination exercise, the ODX.
“CSM Williamson has been critical to the brigade and United States Army Ordnance School’s success in building the future and the next generation of our corps. … We are a better brigade with better Soldiers and a stronger family thanks to you,” Ellinger proclaimed.
Williamson, noted for his upright bearing, focus and no-nonsense attitude, seemed oddly relaxed and smiled on occasion during his remarks. He thanked his absentee son and daughter “for every call, email and very limited texts” as gestures of support over his term. He singled out the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade’s CSM Lisa Haney, whom he called a battle buddy and “great teammate,” and retired Master Sgt. Sloan, his first platoon sergeant and a career-long mentor who helped him “understand how to lead in the Army as a noncommissioned officer.”
Lastly, Williamson extolled each layer of support within the schoolhouse as critical to fielding Soldiers who are prepared to support the mission.
“To all of you – drill sergeants, instructors, cadre, first sergeants, sergeants major, command sergeants major, commanders – I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was a privilege to serve at your side. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for what you’ll continue to do, because as I say always, the Soldiers we have today who come through here … are relying on us to teach them the skills so they can survive on the battlefield; to be value-added to the total force; win our nation’s wars; and return home to their loved ones.”
Williamson has been reassigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he will join the staff at the Sergeants Major Academy.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2019 13:25 |
| Story ID: | 327504 |
| Location: | EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 369 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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