Special Forces Command Sergeant Major Assumes Responsibility of Illinois 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Related Media

U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alisha D. Grezlik 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs/ Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bowman, of Plainfield hands, the non commissioned officer sword to the 33rd Infantry

CHAMPAIGN, IL (01/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Soldiers with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Urbana, held the brigade's change of responsibility ceremony Jan.7 at the Champaign Armory.

Soldiers witnessed outgoing brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman, of Plainfield, end his assignment as the brigade's highest enlisted Soldier and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy E. Beck, of Eagle, Wis., from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment.

The change of responsibility is a traditional event that is rich with symbolism and heritage. Key to the ceremony is the changing of responsibility between the outgoing and incoming command sergeants major.

Bowman assumed responsibility of the 33rd IBCT in September 2007 and deployed with the brigade to Afghanistan in 2008, acting as both Task Force Phoenix command sergeant major and the 33rd IBCT command sergeant major.

"It has been an honor serving under the 33rd," said Bowman. "I have enjoyed watching the brigade grow and believe we have the best Soldiers. I work for them. They don't work for me. I am very proud of the brigade and will miss the Soldiers and their families."

Bowman takes on a new responsibility serving as the Illinois land component command sergeant major, under Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti, of Springfield, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Illinois National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Stephen P. Huber, of Chicago, Former Commander of Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan, bid Bowman farewell.

"I am happy and encouraged to see Bowman move on," said Huber. "His sense of duty and honesty are qualities essential to success. He is a Soldier's Soldier, a Soldier's command sergeant major."

Col. Paul C. Hastings, of St. Charles, commander of the 33rd IBCT, also gave an emotional farewell speech, praising Bowman for his role in the 33rd.

"It is a historic day," Hastings said. "I feel like I am losing a part of myself. There is one word that sums up Command Sgt. Maj. Bowman. It's passion. Passion - about Soldiers and everything about Soldiering. I have been blessed to serve alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Bowman."

Beck has held many leadership positions in his career including serving as the Operation Detachment Alpha's senior sergeant, sergeant major, of Company A, 2nd Battalion 20th Special Forces Group from 1994 through 2007, and command sergeant major of the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry from 2007 through 2011. Beck has deployed to numerous locations including Central and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Beck said he was honored to take the position.

"I look forward to representing a brigade and being a role model for all the Soldiers," said Beck. "We all have one mission and one goal and being together in this unit is not an obligation, but a place we all want to be. I am eager to see our potential."

Story by Pfc Alisha D. Grezlik 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs