FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez, Jr., outgoing senior enlisted leader, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, prepares to hand off the colors to Col. Ryan O. Maender, commander, DIVARTY, during the change of responsibility ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Jan. 13, 2020. Handing off the colors signified Perez relinquishing his responsibility of the DIVARTY. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
By Sgt. Sidnie Smith
14th Public Affairs Detachment
Command Sgt. Maj. Jelani Edwards the incoming Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division command sergeant major, salutes during the change of responsibility ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center, Jan. 13, 2020, on Fort Carson. Edwards served previously as the command sergeant major of 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, bid farewell to one outgoing leader and welcomed a new one during a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 13, 2020, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center.
Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez Jr. turned over responsibility of DIVARTY to Command Sgt. Maj. Jelani Edwards. Perez was the senior enlisted adviser for all three of the field artillery battalions on Fort Carson. He also deployed to Afghanistan with DIVARTY, where he was the senior enlisted adviser for all artillery units deployed at the time.
Perez spoke to those in attendance, pausing many times due to emotion, thanking many for their hard work and support during his 30 months as the top senior enlisted leader.
“One of the many things I hold dear to my heart is that anyone I may have come into contact with, I hope I left a positive effect on you and not a negative one,” he said.
Edwards, previously the command sergeant major of 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., spoke of his admiration for Perez and for his over 30 years of service to the Army.
“You my friend are the epitome of what it means to be a servant leader,” Edwards said. “You’ve dedicated countless hours and personal time to mentor, teach and develop every Soldier who has ever crossed your path. Thank you for being a great mentor and friend.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez Jr., outgoing senior enlisted leader, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, sings the division song during the change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 13, 2020, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. Perez served for over 30 months as the DIVARTY command sergeant major. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Benito A. Perez Jr., outgoing senior enlisted leader, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, sings the division song during the change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 13, 2020, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. Perez served for over 30 months as the DIVARTY command sergeant major. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Jelani Edwards, left, incoming senior enlisted leader, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, accepts the colors from Col. Ryan O. Maender, commander, DIVARTY, during the change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 13, 2020, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. The handing off the colors signified Edwards accepting responsibility as the senior enlisted adviser of the unit. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)