The Morning Blend
Welcome
Complete Media Kit
FORT HUACHUCA — On windy and cold Chaffee Parade Field, Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin Saunders handed over the top enlisted post of the Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca to Command Sgt. Maj. Geradus Wykoff.
Of both men, Maj. Gen. John Custer said they epitomize the best qualities of senior noncommissioned officers.
Saunders served as Custer’s command sergeant major, the job Wykoff took over early Thursday morning.
The symbolic transfer of the unit’s flag — which signifies one NCO handing off the safekeeping of the colors to another — was missing at the change-of-responsibility ceremony.
 Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin A. Saunders, left, enjoys a chat with Fort Huachuca commander Maj. Gen. John M. Custer as incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Gerardus Wykoff listens before the start of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca change of responsibility ceremony at Chaffee Field. (Ed Honda-Herald/Review) |
Instead, after receiving a Legion of Merit from Custer, Saunders marched away and approached Wykoff. The two shook hands and exchanged a few words before the new Intelligence Center command sergeant major took his place next to the general in front of the honor guard holding the America, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and center’s flags.
Speeches followed, with Custer leading off and saying Saunders is “one of the finest NCOs I have served with.”
And his replacement, Wykoff, is “another proven leader.” Wykoff’s previous assignment was as the command sergeant major of the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade at the center.
Saunders has done many things during his tenure as the center’s top NCO. Custer said the most important was to increase the “recruiting and training quality of NCOs.” And under Saunders’ mentorship, the fort’s Sgt. Audie Murphy Club was re-energized.
The stronger NCO Corps at the intelligence schoolhouse has led to better-prepared junior soldiers, the general said.
That is important because of the need for quality intelligence soldiers as the nation continues its war against terrorism, Custer said.
What Saunders did will be an imprint for generations to come, Custer said.
What is good for the Army is that Saunders will now take his abilities as the senior NCO to the Army’s deputy chief staff for intelligence.
Of his time as the center’s and fort’s command sergeant major, Saunders said he has served under two of the best commanding generals he knows.
Before Custer, the commanding general was Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast. Of Fast and Custer, Saunders said both allowed him the opportunity to build the intelligence NCO Corps and the soldiers training at the center.
“Both were my battle buddies,” Saunders said. “Both offered me freedom and trust.”
Through their leadership, a “more proficient and relevant NCO” was developed for the Army’s intelligence community, the outgoing command sergeant major said.
“Trust me when I say I am grateful,” Saunders said.
With that gratefulness is a feeling of humbleness, he said.
Saunders is noted for talking more about soldiers, the enlisted force of all ranks, who to him are the Army.
But his support mechanism includes family, a wife and four children.
“The best thing in life is love,” Saunders said.
As for Wykoff, who is called Gerry by most, Saunders said the Military Intelligence Corps and the fort “are in great hands.”
In welcoming Wykoff to the command team, Custer said he, like Saunders, “is a soldier’s soldier.”
Wykoff said he will continue to “train, lead, equip and support the intelligence soldier.”
The Military Intelligence Corps NCOs must ensure the young soldiers are prepared, he said.
Doing that means the NCOs must continue their focus on junior soldiers, Wykoff said.
“NCOs are second to none.”
Profile
Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin A. Saunders enlisted in the Army on Nov. 14, 1983.
Initially trained as a field artilleryman, he became an intelligence soldier.
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals and other badges and medals.
He and his wife, Karen, have four children, Aaron, Melissa, Sophia and Maya.
Saunders is heading to be the command sergeant major for the Army’s deputy chief of staff for intelligence.
He was replaced Thursday by Command Sgt. Maj. Geradus “Gerry” Wykoff, who entered the Army in December 1983.
Wykoff was a multiple launch rocket system crewman until he entered the intelligence field in 1988.
His decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals and six Army Achievement Medals.
He and his wife, Monika, have three children, Patrick, Melissa and Nicole.
herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Larry wrote on Nov 17, 2007 4:31 PM: