Headquarters, Headquarters Battery welcomes new first sergeant

Published March 23, 2010
By Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
72nd Field Artillery Brigade public affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Responsibility for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, passed smoothly during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Kelley Reserve Center here March 12.

As Soldiers, family and friends of the battery looked on, 1st Sgt. Garret McAdoo, a native of Clarion, Pa., relinquished responsibility to 1st Sgt. Darlene White, from Portsmouth, Va.

Capt. Samuel Banter, commander of HHB, bid farewell to Sergeant McAdoo, who served as his right hand for the last year, he said.

"1st Sgt. McAdoo has become a rock within the 72nd; not only has he advised me, but three former commanders, the NCO corps and countless Soldiers on issues ranging from education to pay, to familial issues and countless more, for three and a half years."
Captain Banter welcomed Sergeant White, placing his trust in her to keep the battery 'on time; on target,' he said.

In appreciation of Sergeant McAdoo's dedication and perseverance, Captain Banter, on behalf of the Soldiers, presented Sergeant McAdoo with a framed unit guidon.

Sergeant McAdoo accepted the guidon and thanked his family, Soldiers, leaders and friends. To Captain Banter he said, "Thank you for your leadership and the confidence you had in me, and for allowing me to remain your battle buddy to the end."

During Sergeant McAdoo's time as battery first sergeant, more than 500 Soldiers joined, served with, and departed HHB. He thanked the Soldiers of HHB for their support and encouraged them to show the same respect to the new first sergeant that they had shown him. He urged Sergeant White to follow her intuition, and expressed his certainty she would be successful.

"1st Sgt. White, congratulations as you take the bull by the horns. Let me tell you, it's a strong bull, but it can be tamed."

Sergeant White thanked Sergeant McAdoo for his guidance "not only as a first sergeant, but as a friend."

Sergeant White joined the Army Reserve in 1979. She attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C., where she was among the first co-ed graduates. She then travelled to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., to complete Advanced Individual Training to be a finance specialist. Later she spent six years as a drill sergeant with 80th Division (Institutional Training) before taking over as non-commissioned officer in charge of the finance section of the 374th Finance Detachment at Fort Lee, Va. Prior to joining the 72nd, Sergeant White served with 5th Brigade.

Sergeant White pledged to continue the high standard of leadership Sergeant McAdoo set during his time.

"I know I have huge boots to fill, but I promise you I will serve you all with pride and dedication," she said.

Headquarters, headquarters battery welcomes new first sergeant