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Operational Test Command welcomes new command sergeant major by Michael M. Novogradac, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs
West Fort Hood, Texas -- A new senior enlisted advisor took over as standard bearer at the U.S. Army Operational Test Command during a ceremony here Friday. Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt takes his first opportunity to serve at "The Great Place," arriving from Fort Riley, Kansas, where he was the garrison command sergeant major. Schmidt takes the place of Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth M. Graham, who will move on to become the senior enlisted advisor at the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. "The Operational Test Command is the only one of its kind, with an important mission," Graham said. "Our motto is 'Truth in Testing!' because that is what we do -- conduct independent operational testing to inform acquisition and fielding decisions for the Army, so that the United States Army Soldier, who is our ultimate customer, is provided with the best equipment available to enhance their effectiveness on the modern battlefield." With OTC since April 24, 2014, Graham hasn't been a stranger to Fort Hood, serving 4 years, 8 months at previous assignments as CBRN Sergeant Major at the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary); Command Sergeant Major of the 48th Chemical Brigade; and Commandant of the III Corps and Fort Hood Noncommissioned Officers Academy. "We're going to miss the Texas barbeques, the Expo Center rodeos, and especially the down-home Texas hospitality," said Graham. Brig. Gen. Kenneth L. Kamper, commanding general of OTC, deferred honors to the Noncommissioned Officer Corps before officiating the ceremonial "passing of the colors" between Graham and Schmidt. "It's only fitting that we pause this morning to just recognize the significance of a change of responsibility between two command sergeants major," he said. "It's through these ceremonies that we cherish our past," continued Kamper. "We reflect on what it means to be a profession, called on by our nation to service. "I can think of no greater compliment than to say that Command Sgt. Maj. Ken Graham embodies in spirit, in action, in thought and deed … every sentence, every word, of the Noncommissioned Officer Creed. We're a better organization for having served with you." About Schmidt, Kamper said, "The good news? It's that Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt joins our ranks. He too, is a professional with years of experience, and he is the right person at the right time to continue the tradition of excellence in our Noncommissioned Officer Corps right here in the Operational Test Command." Schmidt stepped to the podium with thanks for everyone attending the ceremony. "My family and I are excited to be joining such a great organization as the Operational Test Command," he said. "It's my honor to be joining such a storied organization with a vital mission for our Army. "I'm truly privileged to be working with this team of outstanding Soldiers, coupled with its world class professional Civilian workforce," he continued. "I spent the last two weeks meeting with staff and directorates, and it's impressive to see what this command touches on a daily basis." OTC is subordinate to the Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and is the Army's only independent operational tester. Testing and assessing Army, Joint, and Multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, OTC uses typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer -- the American Soldier.
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Source: www.army.mil,
February
29, 2016 |
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.jpg "Command Sgt. Maj. Graham, Brig. Gen. Kamper, and Command Sgt. Maj. Schmidt salute during ceremony")
.jpg "Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt addresses audience")