JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Fort Sam Houston, Texas –
In a ceremony transitioning between command sergeants major for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Gusman relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. JennyAnne Bright in the presence of over 100 virtual attendees and over 160 in-person attendees on Nov. 20 at the historic MICC Long Barracks at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
The change of responsibility ceremony was hosted by Col. Freddy Adams, the MICC commander who was recently nominated for promotion to the rank of brigadier general by the President of the United States. Dozens of civilian and military leaders demonstrated reverence to the honorees with their presence to include Joseph Bray, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army-Texas South; Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Copeland, representing the Installation Management Command; Maj. Gen. Doug Lowrey and Command Sgt. Maj. Rachel Harris, the command team for the Army Contracting Command; and Clay Cole, deputy to the MICC commander.
“Thank you for joining us today to honor two outstanding leaders—Command Sgt. Maj. Gusman and Command Sgt. Maj. Bright,” Adams began his remarks. “Your presence in this important moment is a testament to the deep respect and admiration these individuals have earned throughout their careers.”
The change of responsibility is a military tradition when the outgoing senior enlisted adviser to the command and keeper of the guidon passes the colors to the commander they have dutifully served, signifying the end of their tour of duty. The commander then hands the guidon to the new command sergeant major as a symbol of the commander’s trust and confidence in the new senior enlisted advisor. The MICC ceremony also included an invocation delivered by Capt. (Chaplain) Doyle Harris and musical accompaniment by the 323d Army Band led by Sgt. Kevin Mackie.
Adams' remarks included his poignant reflection on the significance of the command sergeant major role within a command and Gusman’s specific contributions to the MICC.
“Command Sergeant Major Gusman has served as our senior enlisted leader since June 2022, and during his tenure he has left an indelible mark on the MICC,” Adams said. Gusman was instrumental to the MICC’s success during several strategic-level missions and mission support activities to include several rotations to the National Training Center and the Joint Readiness Training Center, and mission support to the Old Guard and Army Caissons.
During Gusman’s tenure the command also led a national advertisement campaign for the U.S. Army, capitalized on Cadet Sumer Training recruitment opportunities and executed many other recruiting and retention initiatives.
“Thanks to his focus on professional development, the MICC ended fiscal year 2024 with a remarkable 92% fill rate and has sustained a 93% fill rate in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 — a ten-year high,” Adams said.
Globally, MICC personnel deployed to Kuwait and Jordan and supported critical contracting missions for Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Allies Refuge, Combined Forces-Jordan missions, Eastern European Deterrence Response, and provided contraction solutions for special operations planners and commanders.
“Under CSM Gusman’s leadership, the MICC has flourished,” Adams said a big part of the organization’s success was due to Gusman’s focus on developing professional development opportunities for contracting professionals. “He led some of our most critical strategic initiatives, including the establishment of the MICC master gunner program and course, which has already graduated dozens of Soldiers prepared to lead in complex contracting challenges.”
Adams lauded the pivotal role Gusman played in the creation of a personal development skill identifier that 51C noncommissioned officers now earn after successful completion of the master gunner course as well as his other contributions to many other courses conducted as part of the MICC University. “His dedication to developing the future leaders of our force is evident in the number of training programs and courses he’s been instrumental in launching.”
Gusman departs the MICC to assume responsibility as the command sergeant major for the Army Sustainment Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. He opened his outgoing remarks by thanking Lowrey, Adams, Cole and many other military and civilian personnel he credits for his success over the last 30 months. He also had a special message for the soldiers and civilians assigned to the 418th and 419th Contracting Support Brigade and the Fort Eustis and Fort Sam Houston Field Directorate Offices.
“You’ve displayed unmatched dedication, professionalism and resilience in tackling every challenge that has come your way,” Gusman said. “The work was not easy, and the demands were constant, but I could not be prouder of how this team consistently rose to the occasion.”
His successor comes to the MICC from Fort Stewart, Georgia, where she served as the commandant of the Fort Stewart Noncommissioned Officer Academy since 2021. Bright has over 27 years of experience in various leadership roles, including command sergeant major of the Division Sustainment Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas and senior leadership positions in logistics and sustainment assignments at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. An expert trainer as well as a tested leader, Bright was also a drill sergeant and advanced individual training instructor.
“CSM Bright, you are more than ready to step into this role,” Adams said. “Your leadership will be critical as we continue to drive the success of our mission and our people. I have no doubt that you will bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and a commitment to excellence that will only strengthen our team.”
Adams, who assumed command of the MICC in June said he was sure that Bright will learn the command quickly, make her own significant impact on the command and to continue to move the organization forward, in line with the Army’s transformation plans.
“You’ll quickly find that sometimes the biggest impacts come from the smallest details,” Adams said. “Lead with the same passion and commitment you’ve demonstrated throughout your career, and I’m confident we will continue to raise the bar for contracting support to the Army.”
For her part, Bright’s remarks included brief thanks for the senior leaders who entrusted her with this increased responsibility as well as her family, friends and mentors who have supported her throughout her career. Bright also addressed the MICC team directly.
“To the exceptional team I now have the privilege to serve, both MICC soldiers and our phenomenal civilian professionals, you are the backbone of the MICC,” Bright said. She said that not only does MICC’s stellar reputation for hard work, expertise and dedication to the contracting mission extend globally, but that she was personally inspired by MICC’s resilience while working diligently towards modernization and transformation.
“I am eager to collaborate with you as we take on new challenges and opportunities,” Bright said. “We will continue to strengthen our team, achieve MICC objectives and ensure that the commander’s intent, vision and MICC’s mission remain at the forefront of everything we do.”
For those unfamiliar with the significance of the change of responsibility tradition, Adams said the custom underscores the seamless transition of responsibility, and continuity of leadership and is a cornerstone of effective leadership.
“I want to emphasize that the change we witnessed today is not just a ceremony,” Adams said. “It is a reaffirmation of our command's commitment to excellence and our dedication to the soldiers and civilians we serve. It also represents the continuity of outstanding senior enlisted leadership that is the hallmark of our Army.”
To learn more about the Mission and Installation Contracting Command visit https://www.army.mil/micc.