Email   Print   Share By Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas R. Gault, Fort Hood Garrison Command Sergeant Major

Facebook Digg Delicious June 28, 2012 | Editorial

Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas R. Gault, Fort Hood Garrison Command Sergeant Major

Back on March 1, I assumed the responsibility as the Fort Hood Garrison command sergeant major, a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.

My Family and I are so honored and so proud to be able to serve in a capacity that will effect, and continue to improve, the quality of life for our Soldiers, Family members and civilians here at the Great Place.

In my change of responsibility speech, I mentioned Lou Gehrig, and how he considered himself to be, “… the luckiest man on the face of this earth.” Gehrig was referring to having been able to have a career in baseball for as long as he did and for the opportunity to play with so many baseball greats. I too know this feeling!

I have proudly served in the United States Army for 26 years. I have served alongside some of the best officers, noncommissioned officers, Soldiers and Families the Army has to offer. Now, as I serve as your garrison command sergeant major, I get to add the fine civilian workforce of the Great Place to my list of greats.

I hear many who speak enthusiastically about the many things he or she “gets to do” as a leader. Having been a part of the Great Place for almost four years, I too know and appreciate the joy of “getting to do” and be a part of something special, by being able to continue to help make the Great Place greater.

As we look ahead, one of my goals is to keep our garrison team focused on making sure we are doing right by our Soldiers and their Families. Our Soldiers draw their strength from the strength of their Families. Our spouses and children are the unsung heroes of our Army, sustaining us through this time of conflict. Part of my focus is to ensure the Family programs at the Great Place are providing the best assistance possible to our community. When Families are being taken care of on the home front, this allows our Soldiers to remain focused, ready and able to give their all.

Visiting with the different agencies throughout the garrison, I can clearly see what will continue to make us successful. When we wrap our arms around our garrison teams, we are able to understand where their focus lies and how engaged they are with their mission. It is about being there and providing the support when and where it is needed.

Drawing from my experiences, I plan to maintain a strong connection with the garrison leadership, while working to standardize services for our Soldiers and Families. In few jobs do you wake up every single day and ask yourself, “How can we make things better for our Soldiers and Families?”

We can’t forget why we come to work every day!

I am a proud Soldier, and I am so thankful that I have a strong Army Family by my side. Living on Fort Hood and being a part of the surrounding communities is a great privilege. The continuous support from our surrounding communities never ceases to amaze us. Our Family is looking forward to serving alongside each and every one of you.

The garrison is not just a place where you are when you are not at war, it is home and we are glad to be your neighbor.