Fort Bliss Monitor

Seward named commandant of USASMA

DAVE CROZIER
USASMA Public Affairs

Lt. Col. John K. Kirby, left, relinquishes his command of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy on Friday to Col. John E. Seward, right, in a change of command ceremony held in the academy’s Kenneth W. Cooper Lecture Center. Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace, center, commanding general, Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

In a time-honored tradition, Col. John E. Seward accepted the colors of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Friday from Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace, Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., thus signifying his acceptance of command of the academy. In accepting the colors Seward became the 15th commandant of the academy replacing outgoing commandant Lt. Col. John K. Kirby who has been assigned as the Director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security for Fort Bliss.

Following the passing of the colors and the official reading of the Assumption of Command Orders, Wallace addressed the audience as the guest speaker for the event. Wallace acknowledged the many military officials, family members, other invited guests and the students of Sergeants Major Course Class 55, thanking them all for attending the ceremony. The general also thanked the staff and faculty for their contributions to the academy, Fort Bliss and the Department of the Army.

Wallace said that since the establishment of the academy some three decades ago, the academy has taken on an increasingly wider responsibility for the education of the Army’s noncommissioned officers.

“The academy is now a proponent for the NCO education system and as such ensures quality training, education and professional development of the NCO Corps,” he said. “The Army doesn’t have leaders, we build them and building leaders requires vigilance and innovation, vigilance and innovation which is present here at the academy.”

Wallace acknowledged Kirby’s accomplishments at the academy and said that he should be proud of the legacy he leaves behind.

“You will be remembered as an exceptional, compassionate, visionary commander who is a truly dedicated individual,” Wallace said. “But perhaps [his] greatest legacy is evidenced in the 4,000 NCOs that graduated from the academy during his time here. These competent, confident, battle-focused NCOs are better trained and able to contribute to the operational Army because of the training they got here at the academy.”

Wallace said that one of the greatest strengths the Army has today is that when “we lose a good leader, another one steps up to take his place.”

“The Seward’s are not new to Fort Bliss or to the command. They have been here for three years and Col. Seward has just completed two years of commanding the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade,” Wallace said. “Because of [his] experience and training he has the right attributes, the right skill sets and – most importantly – the right instincts to lead this [great institution]. Now it is time to let the 15th commandant get about his business of fulfilling the motto of this academy – leading, training, maintaining.”

Following Wallace’s remarks, Kirby addressed the more than 600 guests thanking everyone for making his stay at the academy a memorable one.

“Today’s a bittersweet time for me as I bid farewell to a great institution, but look forward to the next challenge,” Kirby said. “I feel like I have won the Super Bowl. It doesn’t get any better than this; but the Kirby family is going to Disneyland.”

Seward then addressed the audience by first thanking Wallace for being the guest speaker. He also thanked all of the other guests and officials in attendance.

“At times like these I always like to start by thanking God for the opportunity to be a Soldier. There is not a greater profession,” Seward said. “It is a great pleasure for my family and I to join the staff of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Today we join an organization whose reputation has always been outstanding. Col. Kirby’s contribution to this great academy has enhanced that fine reputation and I will work hard to ensure that reputation maintains.”

Kirby holds the distinction of being the first lieutenant colonel to hold the position of commandant of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Prior to the Change of Command Ceremony, Wallace presided over an awards ceremony where he presented Kirby with a Meritorious Service Medal for his tenure as assistant commandant and commandant of the academy.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	August 12, 2004

Col. John E. Seward accepts the academy’s colors from Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace, commanding general, Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., in a change of command ceremony on Friday. Seward is the academy’s 15th commandant. <map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Seward named commandant of USASMA DAVE CROZIER USASMA Public Affairs Lt. Col. John K. Kirby, left, relinquishes his command of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy on Friday to Col. John E. Seward, right, in a change of command ceremony held in the academy’s Kenneth W. Cooper Lecture Center. Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace, center, commanding general, Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. In a time-honored tradition, Col. John E. Seward accepted the colors of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Friday from Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace, Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., thus signifying his acceptance of command of the academy. In accepting the colors Seward became the 15th commandant of the academy replacing outgoing commandant Lt. Col. John K. Kirby who has been assigned as the Director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security for Fort Bliss. Following the passing of the colors and the official reading of the Assumption of Command Orders, Wallace addressed the audience as the guest speaker for the event. Wallace acknowledged the many military officials, family members, other invited guests and the students of Sergeants Major Course Class 55, thanking them all for attending the ceremony. The general also thanked the staff and faculty for their contributions to the academy, Fort Bliss and the Department of the Army. Wallace said that since the establishment of the academy some three decades ago, the academy has taken on an increasingly wider responsibility for the education of the Army’s noncommissioned officers. “The academy is now a proponent for the NCO education system and as such ensures quality training, education and professional development of the NCO Corps,” he said. “The Army doesn’t have leaders, we build them and building leaders requires vigilance and innovation, vigilance and innovation which is present here at the academy.” Wallace acknowledged Kirby’s accomplishments at the academy and said that he should be proud of the legacy he leaves behind. “You will be remembered as an exceptional, compassionate, visionary commander who is a truly dedicated individual,” Wallace said. “But perhaps [his] greatest legacy is evidenced in the 4,000 NCOs that graduated from the academy during his time here. These competent, confident, battle-focused NCOs are better trained and able to contribute to the operational Army because of the training they got here at the academy.” Wallace said that one of the greatest strengths the Army has today is that when “we lose a good leader, another one steps up to take his place.” “The Seward’s are not new to Fort Bliss or to the command. They have been here for three years and Col. Seward has just completed two years of commanding the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade,” Wallace said. “Because of [his] experience and training he has the right attributes, the right skill sets and – most importantly – the right instincts to lead this [great institution]. Now it is time to let the 15th commandant get about his business of fulfilling the motto of this academy – leading, training, maintaining.” Following Wallace’s remarks, Kirby addressed the more than 600 guests thanking everyone for making his stay at the academy a memorable one. “Today’s a bittersweet time for me as I bid farewell to a great institution, but look forward to the next challenge,” Kirby said. “I feel like I have won the Super Bowl. It doesn’t get any better than this; but the Kirby family is going to Disneyland.” Seward then addressed the audience by first thanking Wallace for being the guest speaker. He also thanked all of the other guests and officials in attendance. “At times like these I always like to start by thanking God for the opportunity to be a Soldier. There is not a greater profession,” Seward said. “It is a great pleasure for my family and I to join the staff of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Today we join an organization whose reputation has always been outstanding. Col. Kirby’s contribution to this great academy has enhanced that fine reputation and I will work hard to ensure that reputation maintains.” Kirby holds the distinction of being the first lieutenant colonel to hold the position of commandant of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Prior to the Change of Command Ceremony, Wallace presided over an awards ceremony where he presented Kirby with a Meritorious Service Medal for his tenure as assistant commandant and commandant of the academy.