Photo By Melissa Buckley | Incoming 14th Military Police Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Elderkin takes the...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The 14th Military Police Brigade held a change-of-responsibility ceremony March 28 at Nutter Field House, where Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Neikirk relinquished his role as the brigade’s top enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Elderkin.
Col. John Copeland, 14th MP Bde. commander, spoke on Neikirk’s leadership and professionalism.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Neikirk, the Soldiers before you stand as testament to your leadership and professionalism. Our officers and noncommissioned officers are better leaders because of you. Your calm demeanor and sound wisdom consistently ensured we remained focused on the right priority,” Copeland said. “You have built the next generation of warrior leaders in our Army.”
Neikirk, who plans to retire after serving 30 years, thanked his family for their support and 14th MP Bde. teammates for “the most rewarding 26 months in my career.”
He thanked the drill sergeants for putting their hearts and souls into ensuring our next generation is ready to “destroy the enemies of our great nation.”
To Elderkin, Neikirk said welcome back — Elderkin previously served on Fort Leonard Wood with the 796th MP Bn. and 3rd Chemical Brigade.
Elderkin is coming to Fort Leonard Wood from the Soldier Recovery Unit in Fort Cavazos, Texas, where he served as the battalion command sergeant major.
Elderkin thanked Neikirk for passing down a successful battalion and promised to continue to “always improve the fox hole.”
“Command Sgt. Maj. Neikirk, you are leaving behind an amazing legacy. Your impact on this organization no doubt shaped countless future leaders of the MP Corps and has not only shaped readiness and lethality of the MP Corps but of the Army,” Elderkin said.
He added that he was excited to become a part of the 14th MP Bde., Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood.
“I am looking forward to the challenges, opportunities and fun that lie ahead. I can’t wait to see all the amazing training the 14th MP Bde. conducts daily,” Elderkin said.
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2025 09:26 |
| Story ID: | 494563 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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