Email   Print   Share By Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General

Facebook Digg Delicious August 30, 2012 | Editorial

This week, we say farewell to one of our most important team members, Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Coleman and his wife, Tonya, as we also prepare for two important events: the Labor Day holiday and Suicide Prevention Month.

I want to first recognize and publically thank Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman for his tremendous service and exceptional contributions to III Corps and Fort Hood over the past three years.

Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman arrived here as III Corps was preparing to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2009. As the senior noncommissioned officer in United States Forces-Iraq, Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman guided and mentored countless junior leaders. He also advised senior commanders as U.S. forces executed the transition of training and security to the government of Iraq. He ensured Soldiers and NCOs were ready for that important and historic mission.

Discipline and professionalism are the hallmark of the American Soldier, and Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman embodied those attributes on a daily basis. In addition, Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman enforces the standards at all times, and continuously challenges Soldiers and leaders to be the pinnacle of professionalism and discipline.

His influence made the Soldiers here at the Great Place the best in the Army. Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman has also been a trusted adviser for me as corps commander over the past 17 months. His knowledge and insight has been indispensible for me in continuing to develop ways to make the Great Place greater.

I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge the incredible efforts that Tonya Coleman has made here at the Great Place. She has been an integral team member and advisor in the Enlisted Spouses Club, the Army Volunteer Corps and the Bluebonnets Social Club. In addition, Tonya’s efforts in caring for Army Families have been extraordinary.

Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman and his wife, Tonya, will be missed here at the Great Place and in our Central Texas community, but we all wish them well in their future endeavors.

I would also like to welcome the new III Corps Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder and his wife, Marla, at this time. Command Sgt. Maj. Schroeder comes to us from Fort Campbell, Ky., where he was command sergeant major of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), as well as command sergeant major of Joint Task Force 101 when the division was deployed to Afghanistan.

He is a dynamic leader who will be a phenomenal asset here at the Great Place and in theater.

I want to emphasize the importance of safety during the Labor Day weekend. Labor Day is a wonderful time to take a break and for many of our children back in school, to reflect one last time on their summer vacation. I encourage everyone to enjoy Labor Day and the many different activities offered at Fort Hood and throughout Central Texas, but I also want everyone to be safe.

Unfortunately in the past, Labor Day has been marred by needless loss of life here at Fort Hood and throughout our Army. If you do plan on using alcohol, please be responsible. Do not drink and drive (this includes watercraft). Please have a battle buddy and look out for your friends, it can make a big difference in saving someone’s career and life. Let us all have a wonderful and safe holiday.

I want to close by also mentioning something that is absolutely critical to all Soldiers. Preventing suicides in our ranks and our Army Family is job No. 1. Suicide prevention is something that we focus on 365 days a year across the Army, but September is Suicide Prevention Month and I truly want to emphasize the importance of leaders and Soldiers being engaged to help those in our ranks and larger Army Family.

In the Army, we are part of the best team in the world. As teammates, it is all our responsibility to look for warning signs and get help. Preventing suicides is an important part of keeping our team strong and our force healthy. We will also be having a Suicide Prevention Stand Down Day Sept. 27 as part of an Armywide initiative. III Corps will take a step back and have everyone focus on the warning signs of suicide and tools available here at Fort Hood to prevent suicide.

Thanks again to the entire Fort Hood and III Corps team, to include our extraordinary community partners for all that you do.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!