Photo By Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato | The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's color guard for the Change of Responsibility...... read more read more
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Fort Benning, GA —Soldiers and civilians of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit gathered at Finals Hall for a Change of Responsibility Ceremony on September 30, 2022.
The unit, nicknamed the Home of Champions, bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron Forry and welcomed their new battalion command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Mason Riepe.
However, just before the official ceremony took place, a few tokens of appreciation were in order. Col. Stephen Battle, commander of the U.S. Army Marketing & Engagement Brigade, presented the Clarksville, Iowa native with a Meritorious Service Medal.
Lt. Col. Casey Mills, commander of the USAMU, gave Forry the highly coveted USAMU Bullet Plaque.
Then, Lt. Col. Erik Andreasen, the previous USAMU commander, gifted his former command sergeant major with framed unit colors while addressing the unit.
“The one thing that I will remember about Aaron here at AMU, and something everyone else here will remember, is his true and deep care for individuals.”
From Soldiers in and out of the unit, to all the civilians, he did all he could to help everyone, explained Andreasen.
“Every single day he came in, and I will tell you, his number one care and thing, was you guys.”
After the traditional passing of the colors, it was time for Mills to address Forry, Riepe and the Soldiers and civilians of the USAMU. In doing so, he echoed Andreasen’s statement that the outgoing command sergeant major genuinely cared for the wellbeing of the people in the unit.
“The one thing I have noticed is Aaron’s dedication to the men and women in this formation.”
Since arriving at the unit two months prior, Mills explained that Forry had been his personal battle buddy, laying out all the details he needed to know, what had already been done and what still needed to be done. This was all in the efforts to ensure the people here would be taken care of, said Mills.
The USAMU Commander then welcomed Riepe, whose previous assignment was at 2nd Brigade, 11th Airborne Division, and told the unit they would be in good hands with their new battalion command sergeant major.
“Mason’s a long time Infantryman, Paratrooper…has served from a squad leader to up to a brigade operations sergeant major. So he has a wealth, and depth of knowledge that far exceeds my own, and I encourage everyone to tap into that while he is here. I have no doubt that he will carry the torch forward, right where Aaron has left off.”
Next up to speak was the outgoing battalion command sergeant major. Forry, whose next assignment is with Fort Benning’s 198th Infantry Training Brigade, told the Soldiers and civilians of the USAMU they should be excited about this new command team.
“Lt. Col. Mills and Command Sgt. Maj. Riepe are going to bring a new flavor of leadership into AMU and bring you to a new state of being the best.”
Then, Forry addressed that new command team.
“Lt. Col. Mills, Command Sgt. Maj. Riepe, you guys are going to be amazing. I can tell that as we are going forward, you guys are going to be the water and not the rock—moving things and making things happen.”
Last up to speak was the new battalion command sergeant major for the USAMU. He was brief but took the time to sincerely thank Forry for his helpful mentorship, coordination and information during the transition.
“I’d also like to thank you for your leadership and contributions to the Battalion, Soldiers and civilians, as well as their families, during your tenure here.”
However, just because Forry was leaving the USAMU, Riepe wanted to remind his predecessor that he would always have a place at the Home of Champions.
“You always have a home here, and you can visit any time.”
To his new commander, Riepe told Mills that he felt extremely lucky to serve alongside him at “a prestigious organization with such an impeccable reputation.”
“I will give you, and this organization, one hundred and ten percent day in and day out.”
Then, to end the ceremony, the new battalion command sergeant major addressed the Soldiers and civilians of the USAMU.
“I am thoroughly impressed with what I have seen thus far, and I am honored and humbled to be a part of this team. I look forward to serve with each and every one of you. No doubt. This is truly the Home of Champions.”
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.04.2022 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 430672 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 377 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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