JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The U.S. Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion held a triple-company, change of responsibility ceremony for its first sergeants in an outdoor event near its headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 20.
These ceremonies typically represent the discipline and teamwork of the Army. For Army South, they help develop and maintain unit pride, build esprit de corps and preserve tradition. The incoming company enlisted leadership are 1st Sgt. Eric Irish, Headquarters Support Company; 1st Sgt. Jeff Edey, Operations Company; and 1st Sgt. Beau Kempe, Intelligence and Support Company.
Before the new first sergeants formally assumed their position, a military “frocking” took place in the headquarters promoting two of the three noncommissioned officers from the rank of sergeant first class. Frocking is a U.S. military term for a commissioned or non-commissioned officer selected for promotion wearing the insignia of the higher grade before the official date of promotion, or the “date of rank.” An officer or NCO who has been selected for promotion may be authorized to “frock” to the next grade.
“This is a big deal – a transformational moment – as these senior NCOs are transitioning to first sergeants,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Levesque, Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion commander.
The wives of each of the new first sergeants were able to participate in the years-old tradition of pinning their husbands with their new ranks as other family members and staff looked on.
“This is a good day and I look forward to serving the company and instilling the trust and confidence my leaders have shown by allowing me to serve in this position,” Edey said.
The Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion’s senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Williams, acknowledged the outgoing first sergeants for their personal dedication to serving the Soldiers within the command.
“‘There is nothing so annoying as a good example,’” Williams said, quoting Mark Twain. “The men in front of you are men of character. Their company’s successes has a lot to do with these first sergeants. We will be sad to lose them.”
The outgoing first sergeants are 1st Sgt. Rodney Washington of Headquarters Support Company who will go on to retire after 25 years of service; 1st Sgt. Joshua D. Mejia, Intelligence and Support Company who will change duty stations to Fort Carson, Colo.; and 1st Sgt. James D. Delain of Operations Company who will transition to a staff position within Army South Headquarters at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.