Photo By Spc. Devin Klecan | FORT KNOX, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2021) – Outgoing V Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Webb passes...... read more read more
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FORT KNOX, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2021) -- V Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Webb relinquished his responsibilities as the V Corps senior enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris during a change of responsibility ceremony at V Corps headquarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Nov. 4.
Lt. Gen. John Kolasheski, V Corps commanding general, spoke at the event.
“Over the last 14 months, Command Sgt. Maj. Webb led, mentored and advised the Corps staff and me during the most complex, critical and fast-paced corps activation the U.S. Army has ever seen,” said Kolasheski. “His influence is evident throughout our formation. He has shown us all what it means to be a trainer, a mentor, and above all, a leader of character.”
Webb assumed duties as V Corps command sergeant major in August 2020. During his time with the command, he helped reactivate and stand up the corps, as well as lead Soldiers through four command post exercises culminating with Warfighter 22-1. He was also instrumental in establishing the V Corps Headquarters (Forward) in Poland, and building strong relationships with our partners and allies in NATO and across Eastern Europe.
Webb was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Order of St. George, the Order of St. Michael, and the Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.
“For the past 14 months, and in the only way Victory Soldiers know how, they picked up their rucksacks, accepted the challenge and raced to accomplish the task to achieve full operational capability status in one year,” said Webb. “Well, Team, you achieved this goal and today the U.S. Army has a fourth warfighting corps, ready for whenever and wherever called upon... I am proud to have shared this task with you all. Not as a coach, but as a teammate each and every day.”
He added, “As the command sergeant major, you do not work for me. I work for you. I was honored to have the ability to row with and guide such an outstanding team. It was truly an honor to see you all come together and work in unison to reach fully operationally capable status and prepare for operations in Europe.”
Webb passed the baton of responsibility for V Corps to Harris and will be retiring after 31 years of honorable service to the Army.
“Harris and his wife Leah are the right team at the right time to take this trained, ready and focused warfighter team into year two as [V Corps] changes sight picture from training to more mission focused,” said Webb.
Harris joined V Corps after serving as command sergeant major for the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas. This will be Harris’ second time serving as Kolasheski’s senior enlisted advisor.
“We are no strangers, and I am elated to have the opportunity to serve with you again,” said Kolasheski. “I know you will do great things here, for both our Soldiers and community. You have a tough act to follow, but I know you are up to the challenge.”
Harris will serve as the first sergeant major to serve V Corps since it was certified as fully operationally capable, Nov. 3.
“Maintaining our ‘People First’ mindset, predictability, the readiness of the corps and building relationships with the U.S. and our allied partners will be my guiding post,” said Harris. “The importance of partnerships and interagency relationships will ensure that our enduring presence in Europe will have a lasting impact for years to come. Our mission has strategic importance and I do not take that lightly as our Soldiers and allied partners are depending on us.”
Harris joined the Army in 1996, as an infantryman. He has served as a rifleman, machine gunner, automatic rifleman, Bradley gunner, team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and command sergeant major.
V Corps was originally established during WWI in France and inactivated at Wiesbaden, Germany in 2013. The Victory Corps was officially reactivated in October 2020 during a ceremony at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The return of V Corps to Europe provides an additional level of command and control which can focus on synchronizing U.S. Army, allied, and partner nation tactical formations operating in Europe while enhancing U.S. Army Europe and U.S. European Command as they work alongside allies and partners to promote regional stability and security.
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2021 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 408711 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, V Corps Conducts Change of Responsibility, by SGT Gabriella Sullivan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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