Photo By Staff Sgt. Marnie Jacobowitz | Maj. Gen. Bryan R. Kelly, left, prepares to pass the Army Reserve Medical Command...... read more read more
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - Command Sgt. Maj. Harold P. Estabrooks assumes the responsibility of the Army Reserve Medical Command Sept. 23, 2012, here at the C.W. Bill Young Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Estabrooks, a native of Midwest City, Okla., and a resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., took over for the retiring Command Sgt. Maj. Roger B. Schulz, who began his command at AR-MEDCOM November 2007.
During the change of command ceremony, Maj. Gen. Luis R. Visot, deputy commanding general, operations, for the United States Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., transferred the AR-MEDCOM colors to Maj. Gen. Bryan R. Kelly, who passed the colors to Estabrooks.
“I truly appreciate your support going forward,” remarked Kelly. “I truly look forward to working with Command Sergeant Major Estabrooks and his wife, Shana, as a command team for AR-MEDCOM.”
Estabrooks, an Infantry Soldier, began his military career in 1985 in the United States Army Reserve in a training battalion. He later became a drill sergeant in Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 291st Regiment. Since then he has continued to serve in positions of increased leadership responsibility and key noncommissioned officer positions. His last duty assignment was command sergeant major of the 86th Division (Operations), the “Blackhawk Division” at Fort McCoy, Wis.
Estabrooks has attended numerous military schools, to include, Airborne, Air Assault and Pathfinder schools, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses, First Sergeant Course, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the Command Sergeant Major Course and he is a Master Fitness Trainer.
Estabrooks is no stranger to the Army; it's been a way of life for him, as he followed in his father's footsteps, retired Master Sgt. Milton Estabrooks, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His wife, the former Shana Shepherd, retired from the Army Reserve as a sergeant first class, and is a recipient of the Shield of Sparta, “Heroine of the Infantry.” Together they have three adult children, Tegan, Keith, and James.
“This Army is our family business,” said Estabrooks. His youngest son, James, is currently serving in the U.S. Army in the rank of private first class with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan.
“I understand the challenges for soldiers, spouses, parents, and children because I have lived all of them,” said Estabrooks. “All of the roles require sacrifice and I am thankful that we live in a nation that honors sacrifice.”
Before taking the position of command sergeant major, Estabrooks was thoroughly engaged and making an impact on AR-MEDCOM.
“Command Sergeant Major Estabrooks is a Soldier’s Soldier,” said Col. Tracy L. Smith, served as the commander of troops during the change of command ceremony. “He cares about Soldiers and is one who is fully involved with the multiple and complex missions of AR-MEDCOM.”
Smith, the chief of staff of the AR-MEDCOM, said that Estabrooks was the right ‘CSM’ during this time of great transition.
“Command Sergeant Major Estabrooks is a take charge leader, who will lead this command into becoming something better,” said Smith. “He is highly intelligent, competent, proactive and with great initiative and enthusiasm. We look forward to his command tenure and are grateful to have him on board.”
Spc. Rebecca Newton, a broadcaster for the 206th Broadcast
Operations Detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, who is attached to AR-MEDCOM, had the opportunity to provide public affairs coverage for him. During an Innovative Readiness Training mission, she witness him talking to more than 50 veterans, and stopped at every opportunity to speak and shake soldiers hands along the way.
He is a stand up leader who proudly wears the uniform and exudes leadership traits at all times, said Newton. From the moment he speaks, he commands attention and respect.
“He is a highly decorated Soldier,” Newton added. “He has reached the top of the ranks by working hard and staying physically fit.”
Newton looks forward to working for Estabrooks and believes he will help AR-MEDCOM reach the pinnacle of success that is paramount for all major commands.
“I love my life as a soldier,” said Estabrooks. “It has been many things, but never dull.”
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2012 18:56 |
| Story ID: | 95400 |
| Location: | PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 717 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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