Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Black | Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Fowler, outgoing Joint Detention Group command sergeant...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba -- Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Porrett assumed the role of command sergeant major of Joint Task Force Guantanamo's Joint Detention Group from Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Fowler during a ceremony, May 7, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
The JDG trains and equips both Army and Navy service members to support the overall JTF Guantanamo mission of safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees.
Fowler assumed the role of JDG command sergeant major in February 2009 and has proudly served in the Army for more than 25 years. After departing GTMO, he will head to Washington, D.C.
"My next assignment is at the Pentagon," Fowler said. "I will be the senior enlisted advisor to the provost marshal general, [Army] Brig. Gen. Colleen McGuire."
Fowler led the JDG through eight Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion companies and three rotations of Army National Guard units. On any given day he was responsible for approximately 1,100 Soldiers and Sailors – and. he never took the task lightly. He noted that one of the most trying tasks was keeping his Soldiers' and Sailors' heads held high.
"The most challenging task I've had to deal with here has been the political aspect of the camps," Fowler said. "It's challenging to keep the [service members'] motivation up doing the mission they are doing. In spite of what sometimes seems to be a negative opinion [in the media], it's tough to keep them proud of what they are doing."
Fowler commended his troops for their continued efforts and a job well done, despite the complicated mission at hand.
"The most rewarding part of my job here is working with the Soldiers and Sailors every day, and seeing them do the great job that they do," Fowler said. "They remain professional no matter how they are treated and continue to do what they are tasked to do. It doesn't matter what they get in return. They treat the detainees professionally and how they would want to be treated. We have a remarkable, exceptional bunch of young people working for us."
The JDG is multifaceted, comprising military members from different service branches and civilians, and Fowler strived to keep the team working together smoothly. "During my two years, I tried to keep the team together, focused and moving in the right direction," he said.
Porrett, the incoming JDG CSM, has been in the Army for more than 25 years as well, and is coming from the 14th Military Police Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
He has been a command sergeant major for five years and thinks his duties are awesome.
"Not only am I the senior enlisted adviser to a commander at the battalion or brigade level, but I am also an advisor to first sergeants, company commanders and officers," Porrett said. "I get to affect the training, lives and missions of all the units I am assigned to."
Porrett believes the JTF mission is an important one and affects not only our nation, but the world's position on the war on terror. Porrett feels honored to have been selected to come here and be a part of the task force.
"It is a privilege to not only lead Soldiers, but to be a part of the joint world," Porrett said.
Porrett gave words of encouragement to the service members and praised them for the tough job they do.
"Embrace the mission and the impact you are having, because every day you make history," Porrett said. "Few will know what you are doing, few can do what you are doing and most would not want to do what you are doing."
He also applauded Fowler's leadership and efforts over the past two years.
"Fowler has done a phenomenal job here," Porrett said. "I can only try to add on where he left off."
As Fowler's time in GTMO comes to a close, he reflects back and gives final words and advice to his fellow non-commissioned officers and his JDG team.
"To the NCOs, I part with letting you know there is no knowledge like hands-on knowledge, so get out there and spend time with your troops and see what they are doing," Fowler said. "There are certain responsibilities that we as NCOs are obligated to accept and take action on. To the Soldiers and Sailors, I am extremely proud of having been here for two years, being a part of history and seeing the magnificent job that you do under trying circumstances."
Porrett and Fowler have followed each other side-by-side throughout their careers. They both came into the Army in 1984 and met each other in 1996. They attended the advanced non-commissioned officers course together and the sergeant major academy together. And, now, their paths cross once again – briefly – in GTMO.
Fowler ended his speech with words of encouragement and admiration for Porrett.
"Good luck, [Command] Sgt. Maj. Porrett," Fowler said. "I have known you for a long time and I know you will do a great job of leading and caring for these [service members], looking out for our officers and tending to operations like a pro."
Army Col. Donnie L. Thomas, JDG Commander, has worked with Fowler for a little over two months. Thomas spoke well of Fowler's leadership and his untiring dedication to the mission.
"CSM Fowler's consummate professionalism, tremendous leadership and wise counsel had a positive impact on this command," Thomas said. "He spent thousands of hours inside the detention facilities and attended hundreds of guard mounts, each time offering critical review, and serving as a technical resource to the command. He was my most trusted adviser and Sailors' and Soldiers' tireless champion. He will be missed, and I wish him the very best at his next assignment."
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.10.2010 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 49442 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 537 |
| Downloads: | 279 |
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