Photo By Sgt. Dawson Smith | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the outgoing command sergeant...... read more read more
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FORT RILEY, Kansas — The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley conducted a Victory with Honors Ceremony and Relinquishment of Responsibility at King Field House on Fort Riley, Kansas, Aug. 9, 2023.
Big Red One Soldiers, Division staff and distinguished guests gathered to honor U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the outgoing 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley command sergeant major.
During his time with the division, Mullinax was instrumental to the success of the Big Red One ‘Year of Honor’, ‘Year of family’ and the implementation of the ‘Year of the Noncommissioned Officer’ campaign. He was involved in the first and only “whole-of-institution” partnership between a major public research university [Kansas State] and warfighting division in America and completed a one year deployment in Europe to support NATO allies during Operation Assure, Deter, and Reinforce, among other achievements.
Mullinax enlisted into the Army on June 24, 1998 as an infantryman. He attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. From there he went on to serve in the 1st, 2d and 3rd Ranger Battalions as well as the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Ranger Special Troops Battalion; 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade; 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and most recently the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade. He has combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and tours across Europe and Africa.
As part of the ceremony which honored his achievements earned during service with the 1st Inf. Div., his wife, Kate, received a bouquet of red roses in acknowledgment of her support and devotion to the Soldiers and families of the Division. His daughters, Milley and Maddie, who were also in attendance, each received a single red rose.
The official party, consisting of Sgt. Maj. Stephanie Rodriguez, the division operations sergeant major, Mullinax and Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commanding general, conducted the relinquishment of responsibility. As the colors passed through the trio, Mulinax’s responsibility to Fort Riley and the Big Red One had ended.
Meyer spoke about Mullinax’s leadership, their times together during deployment and his devotion to the Soldiers, their families and the Fort Riley community.
“When we talk about Soldiers, sergeant major brings a humanity to the conversation that sometimes may be forgotten,” Meyer said. “For that the Soldiers, the family and the community owe the sergeant major a gratitude that we will never be able to express. Sergeant major, Kate and the girls, thank you for your service to Fort Riley and the community. No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great, Duty first.”
Mullinax is a graduate of all levels of the NCO Educations System, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 66, Combat Advisor Training Course, Airborne, and Ranger School. His civilian education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in History.
To emphasize the significance of his last day as command sergeant major of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, Mullinax received a folded American flag and an artillery canister.
As Mullinax offered his final remarks, he thanked his family for always supporting him. He concluded his remarks by expressing the impact Meyer had on him and how proud he is of all the Soldiers in the division.
“I wouldn’t have been able to have the success I’ve had without the Soldiers, the noncommissioned officers and the officers in the room, but certainly if I didn't have a family who had my back,” Mullinax said. “It's been an honor serving in the Big Red One. I’ll always be a Big Red One Soldier for life. I couldn’t be more proud of the team I've been a part of and the success that I've had is because of everyone in this room. Thank you to the team. Duty first, be all you can be, thank you.”
Mullinax will go on to work at The Pentagon, assuming the role of operations, plans and training deputy chief of staff.
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2023 10:04 |
| Story ID: | 451256 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 523 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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