JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Sgt. Maj. Jennifer A. Redding assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted leader of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 10.
Redding joins the Institute after a tour as the command sergeant major at the Medical Professional Training Brigade, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence/Training and Doctrine Command at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
“The USAISR has and will always be ready to answer the nation’s call,” Redding said. “We stand strong together in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. I am excited and honored to be a part of the USAISR and its full glorious history and accomplishments.”
Redding has been in the Army for more than 21 years and has served as the command sergeant major with the 421st Medical Multifunctional Battalion in Baumholder, Germany; the 1st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas; and the MEDCoE/TRADOC at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
It is clear to me that Sgt. Maj. Redding possesses exactly the kind of diverse experience that we need at the USAISR,” said USAISR Commander Col. (Dr.) Mark E. Stackle during his remarks. “Your reputation as a caring and compassionate professional who not only upholds the high standards of the Army profession but does so while teaching, coaching and mentoring those around you epitomizes the ideals of the senior non-commissioned officer.”
Redding enlisted in the Army in 1998 and has served in a variety of assignments as a pharmacy specialist (68Q) and has deployed twice overseas. Her first deployment was with the 10th Combat Support Hospital to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the second was to Qatar in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
She takes over as the USAISR senior enlisted leader from the interim senior enlisted leader, 1st Sgt. Diana McCleary, who filled the position from Sgt. Maj. Willie Harris III, who is retiring from the Army.
“To Sgt. Maj. Harris and his family – fantastic job. The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research and its people are better because of your dedication and unwavering leadership,” Redding added. “I also want to say strong work to 1st Sgt. McCleary and all the Soldiers and civilians who helped make today’s event special in spite of our current circumstances.”
“Sgt. Maj. Redding, it is excellent leaders like 1st Sgt. McCleary that you have inherited at this Institute. From the most junior Soldier to our outstanding NCO and officer corps, to the talented civilians and contractors who work here, you have joined one of the truly exceptional units with the Army,” Stackle said while concluding his remarks. “The individuals of the USAISR routinely give their best every day to ensure that future warfighters return home safely from combat to be with their loved ones.”