Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza, center, outgoing 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, command sergeant major, addresses Soldiers with the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th SB, prior to the brigade’s change of responsibility ceremony Nov. 21, 2016. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Cortez)
By Sgt. 1st Class John Cortez
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza relinquished responsibility of the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, to Command Sgt. Maj. Demetrius Brown during a ceremony Nov. 21, 2016, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center.
The ceremony officially marked the changeover of the “Rough Rider” Brigade senior NCO.
Brown comes to Fort Carson from Fort Riley, Kansas, where he last served as the command sergeant major for Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as a brigade command sergeant major,” Brown said. “To all the Soldiers and leaders within the 4th Sustainment Brigade, I’m ready. I’m ready to raise the bar Command Sgt. Maj. Garza has set so high. This brigade has a long history of great leadership, and I will strive every day to continue that history.”
Col. Ronald R. Ragin, commander, 4th SB, thanked Garza for his service to the brigade.
“For the last 17 months, I’ve had the privilege and honor of serving with the leading example of a strong sergeant,” said Ragin. “Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza (is) a leader of high character, a leader committed to something that is greater than himself, a leader guided by a higher calling, a leader of extremely high values … a Soldier of Soldiers. Thank you Command Sgt. Maj. Garza for a job well done.”
From left, outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza; Col. Ronald R. Ragin, commander, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; and incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Demetrius Brown stand at attention during the brigade’s change of responsibility ceremony Nov. 21, 2016 at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Cortez)
Garza was quick to thank the 4th SB Soldiers, civilians and Family members for their hard work and support during his time as the brigade’s command sergeant major.
“We are asking more out of our Soldiers at this time in our military history than ever before,” Garza said. “Anyone who is anyone in the military knows you cannot win in the crucible of combat without the continuous sustainment support from sustainers. I am very proud of each and every one of you, and, from the depths of my heart I thank you Rough Riders.”
During Garza’s tenure, he witnessed many changes within the brigade including the redesignation from the 43rd Sustainment Brigade to the 4th SB, 4th Inf. Div., as well as the implementation of 4th SB’s campaign plan, “We are Only as Strong as Our Sergeants.”