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Fort Polk embarked on a new chapter in its history as Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles took responsibility of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk from Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Brauer during a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 6 at Warrior Field.
JRTC and Fort Polk Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn, hosted the event and thanked Brauer and his family for their contributions to Fort Polk.
"The change of responsibility ceremony today, signified by the passing of the colors, is significant in that Command Sgt. Maj. Brauer will be forever immortalized as one of the great Fort Polk command sergeants major," Chinn said.
"Thank you for your friendship and your leadership," he continued. "You have earned the respect of every officer, NCO, soldier, civilian, retiree and family member at Fort Polk. You set the conditions for Fort Polk's leaders and soldiers to be successful. It's your encouragement, mentorship and leadership that made a difference."
Chinn welcomed Knowles, his wife Pamela and their daughter Maquitta to Fort Polk. Chinn said he had no doubt Knowles was the right soldier for the job.
"He's an Airborne Ranger who is coming from the 82nd Airborne Division, where he recently served as 1st Brigade command sergeant major," Chinn said. "He brings a wealth of recent combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan where he served as a first sergeant, a battalion command sergeant major and a brigade command sergeant major during combat operations."
As JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major, Knowles' duties include advising the commanding general on all matters pertaining to enlisted soldiers of the installation including training, morale and family issues; ensuring NCOs across the installation are setting and enforcing standards including military appearance, military bearing, maintenance and upkeep of unit areas, safety, and the proper training of their subordinates; assisting in the planning, coordination and execution of all post-level ceremonies, events and DV tours; recommending candidates to serve as guest speakers to the commanding general for all post-level ceremonies; developing the NCO Corps' knowledge of problems that affect the health, welfare, and discipline of the command; conducting quarterly senior NCO empowerment sessions to inform and educate on the latest leadership issues and challenges facing the NCO Corps and Army; and helping strengthen community relation between Fort Polk and local veterans organizations.
"Command Sergeant Major Knowles is the right senior non-commissioned officer with the right experience to ensure JRTC and Fort Polk remains focus on the basics and fundamentals which are the keys to success in everything we do," Chinn said.
To Knowles he said, "It's said 'To those whom much is given, much is expected.' I have no doubt that you will surprise us every day with the good things you are doing to forge the warrior spirit at JRTC and Fort Polk and to make Fort Polk the best home town in the Army. Welcome to the team."
Brauer thanked Chinn for giving him the opportunity to help lead JRTC and Fort Polk to greater heights.
"The Army is not about the individual, the Army is a team. I, with the opportunity afforded by General Chinn, couldn't have carried on Fort Polk without the supporting cast of great soldiers and leaders," Brauer said. "I want to thank everyone for being here and congratulate Command Sergeant Major Knowles. It's a great installation and a great community — you'll enjoy it."
"I'm looking forward to serving each of you and continue the long traditions of training soldiers, supporting their families and preparing lethal units for our nation," Knowles said. "Warrior seven, signing in."
Fort Polk embarked on a new chapter in its history as Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles took responsibility of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk from Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Brauer during a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 6 at Warrior Field.
JRTC and Fort Polk Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn, hosted the event and thanked Brauer and his family for their contributions to Fort Polk.
"The change of responsibility ceremony today, signified by the passing of the colors, is significant in that Command Sgt. Maj. Brauer will be forever immortalized as one of the great Fort Polk command sergeants major," Chinn said.
"Thank you for your friendship and your leadership," he continued. "You have earned the respect of every officer, NCO, soldier, civilian, retiree and family member at Fort Polk. You set the conditions for Fort Polk's leaders and soldiers to be successful. It's your encouragement, mentorship and leadership that made a difference."
Chinn welcomed Knowles, his wife Pamela and their daughter Maquitta to Fort Polk. Chinn said he had no doubt Knowles was the right soldier for the job.
"He's an Airborne Ranger who is coming from the 82nd Airborne Division, where he recently served as 1st Brigade command sergeant major," Chinn said. "He brings a wealth of recent combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan where he served as a first sergeant, a battalion command sergeant major and a brigade command sergeant major during combat operations."
As JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major, Knowles' duties include advising the commanding general on all matters pertaining to enlisted soldiers of the installation including training, morale and family issues; ensuring NCOs across the installation are setting and enforcing standards including military appearance, military bearing, maintenance and upkeep of unit areas, safety, and the proper training of their subordinates; assisting in the planning, coordination and execution of all post-level ceremonies, events and DV tours; recommending candidates to serve as guest speakers to the commanding general for all post-level ceremonies; developing the NCO Corps' knowledge of problems that affect the health, welfare, and discipline of the command; conducting quarterly senior NCO empowerment sessions to inform and educate on the latest leadership issues and challenges facing the NCO Corps and Army; and helping strengthen community relation between Fort Polk and local veterans organizations.
"Command Sergeant Major Knowles is the right senior non-commissioned officer with the right experience to ensure JRTC and Fort Polk remains focus on the basics and fundamentals which are the keys to success in everything we do," Chinn said.
To Knowles he said, "It's said 'To those whom much is given, much is expected.' I have no doubt that you will surprise us every day with the good things you are doing to forge the warrior spirit at JRTC and Fort Polk and to make Fort Polk the best home town in the Army. Welcome to the team."
Brauer thanked Chinn for giving him the opportunity to help lead JRTC and Fort Polk to greater heights.
"The Army is not about the individual, the Army is a team. I, with the opportunity afforded by General Chinn, couldn't have carried on Fort Polk without the supporting cast of great soldiers and leaders," Brauer said. "I want to thank everyone for being here and congratulate Command Sergeant Major Knowles. It's a great installation and a great community — you'll enjoy it."
"I'm looking forward to serving each of you and continue the long traditions of training soldiers, supporting their families and preparing lethal units for our nation," Knowles said. "Warrior seven, signing in."
