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4th IBCT says farewell to CSM

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Nelson Robles
  • 4th Brigade Combat Team
FORT CARSON, Colo. --  After completing their third deployment to Afghanistan, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, held a change of responsibility ceremony for its command sergeant major, Feb. 11, at the Special Events Center.

After completing their third deployment to Afghanistan, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, held a change of responsibility ceremony for its command sergeant major, Feb. 11, at the Special Events Center.

Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Day handed his responsibilities of the 4th IBCT to Command Sgt. Maj. Sammy Sparger. Day held various command sergeant major positions during those deployments.

Upon graduation from the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy in 2008, Day came to the brigade as the operations sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment.

"From the day he walked in I knew we had a winner, it also began a professional but personal relationship, one that I place a great value on today," said Col. Brian Pearl, commander, 4th IBCT. "He is a phenomenal teacher and was prepared to step in as a battalion CSM, but the Infantryman's Infantryman got a different call."

Day was selected as the battalion command sergeant major for the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th IBCT.

"He didn't even know what STB stood for back then but he did two things that define him as a Soldier and leader. First, he looked at me and said 'those Troopers need leadership too'. Secondly, he got after learning to be a senior leader in a world he knew little about," said Pearl. "A man, who at the time, had almost 20 years of 12-mile foot marches and squad, platoon, company and battalion level live-fire ranges, had to learn an entirely new perspective on soldiering. He did it; he made a significant impact on that organization through his leadership and more importantly the mentorship of all the Soldiers in that battalion. I have no doubt he saved lives."

After a successful deployment with 4th STB, Day was selected as the battalion command sergeant major for 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, revisiting his infantry roots. He then deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Regional Command East. It was during this deployment in 2012 that one of the darkest moments in the brigade's history occurred, the death of Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Griffin, 4th IBCT, in Asadabad, Afghanistan. Day would assume the duties of brigade command sergeant major in his stead.

Sgt. Andrew Mahoney, communications noncommissioned officer, 4th IBCT, was injured during the attack and received a Silver Star for his actions that day.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Day was one of the first people to contact me while I was at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio," said Mahoney. "(He) asked how my family was doing, tried to plan when he could come and visit. He told me to just focus on getting better. It was the most personal message I got; he was checking on me as a friend, not just a Soldier. (He) got the position in the worst possible way; he did the best job anybody could do."

Day helped develop the brigade into what it is today, said Pearl. Through three deployments, he has influenced the lives of many Soldiers and will always be a part of this unit's storied history.

"I am proud to call you my friend and battle buddy. I wish you all the best. Our loss is definitely Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the Soldiers of the 174th Infantry Brigade's gain," Pearl said. "Two things I am sure of: he will make that entire post better and secondly his contribution to training the Soldiers that come through those units will once again save lives and make them the best they can be."

As Command Sgt. Maj. Day passes the saber to Command Sgt. Maj. Sparger, the Mountain Warriors will continue to mvoe forward towards the next mission.