Photo By Spc. Ryan Dunn | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Sandland, Washington National Guard, stands with his...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Command Sergeant Major: the most senior enlisted leader in a unit, principal advisor to the commander, and the guardian of every enlisted Soldier’s welfare. It's a role attained by only 0.8 percent of enlisted Soldiers, and it's a long and rigorous journey, requiring years of dedication, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.
After 33 years of service, a career that took him from the training fields of Missouri to the jungles of Thailand and even the halls of the Pentagon, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Sandland retired from military service on Oct. 19, 2024, marking the end of a remarkable career. As a command sergeant major, he held one of the Army’s most prestigious roles, and leaves behind a legacy in the Washington National Guard that few will forget.
Sandland’s journey began in 1991 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed by Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His first assignment at Fort Stewart, Georgia, also led to a life-changing meeting with his future wife, Carol.
In the early years of his career, Sandland was deployed to the National Training Center (NTC) in California and later served on a six-month deployment to Haiti.
“I got to experience NTC, which was a lot of fun," said Sandland with a smile during his retirement speech. "Then, I got an all-expense-paid trip to Haiti for a six-month deployment."
At the time of his deployment, Carol was three months pregnant with their son, Austin. Sandland’s command sergeant major approved his early return home so he could be present for Austin’s birth.
“This left me in awe of the [command sergeant major] … until I became one,” Sandland joked.
After his initial four-year commitment, Sandland transitioned out of active duty and moved back to Washington, where he briefly pursued a career in construction. However, seeking greater financial stability, he visited an Army recruiting station in Lacey, Washington, where a sergeant encouraged him to join the Washington Army National Guard on Dec. 27, 1995.
During one of his first drill weekends, Sandland met Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark Elliott. It didn’t take much convincing from Elliott to encourage Sandland to pursue a full-time career as a federal technician. Army National Guard federal technicians maintain all of the Guard’s equipment, including Stryker armored vehicles, generators, and at one time, tanks. Federal technicians keep the Guard moving after traditional guardsmen return to their civilian jobs.
Sandland advanced quickly, eventually rising to the position of general foreman at the Washington Army National Guard Unit Training and Equipment Site (UTES). His leadership leaves a lasting mark on the organization.
Reflecting on his service, U.S. Army Col. Kristen Derda, commander of the 96th Troop Command and the 10th HRF, praised Sandland’s contributions.
Sandland’s “legacy lives on in the leaders he’s developed, the high standards he established, and the lasting contributions he’s made,” Derda said.
In his retirement speech, Sandland shared memorable moments from his career, from visiting the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to meeting the Vice President.
“I’ve traveled to Haiti, to Korea to see the DMZ. I’ve been to Thailand and literally grabbed a tiger by the tail,” he laughed. “I’ve had the chance to meet the Vice President and get a personal tour of the Pentagon — the good tour, not the everyday tour.”
In his final address, he didn’t speak of medals or accolades; instead, he remembered the friendships forged in foreign lands, the support of his family, and the leaders who shaped him.
“For all those places I've been and the things I got to do, they all pale in comparison with the ability to work and serve with so many great people over the years,” Sandland said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Sandland retires as a respected leader, having served as the command sergeant major for the 96th Troop Command and the senior enlisted advisor for the 10th Homeland Response Force, and as an invaluable mentor to so many in this formation. His impact on the Washington National Guard will resonate for generations to come.
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2024 03:52 |
| Story ID: | 483747 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | CLEARBROOK, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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