196th Regiment receives new command sergeant major Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Grabow is the new command sergeant major of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 196th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) at Fort Meade. Grabow received responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Couser, of Brookings, at Fort Meade during a change of responsibility ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 6. As the command sergeant major of the 196th, Grabow will be responsible for maintaining the unit’s standard of excellence by planning and executing the training of the unit’s Soldiers, as well as supporting the unit’s enlisted personnel. “I’m lucky, thankful and ready,” Grabow said regarding his new position, while addressing a crowd of SDNG senior-ranking officials. Grabow, said his experiences over the last 23 years helped prepare him for his role. He served as a team leader during a 2003 deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also served as the first sergeant of the 82nd Civil Support Team in 2009 and worked at the SDNG’s Joint Force Headquarters in Rapid City. “I’d just like to thank Command Sgt. Maj. Couser and those that have built this regiment to what it is today,” Grabow said. “I’m standing on their shoulders right now, so I appreciate all the hard work that has been done here.” Couser just completed his 32nd year of service. During those years, he deployed in support of operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He also spent several tours in Korea, Panama, the Netherlands and Egypt. Couser likened promotions in the military to climbing a mountain, and emphasized that the journey doesn’t stop once a Soldier reaches the summit. He said that neither his path nor Grabow’s is at an end. “(Grabow) is on the top of the mountain, and it’s time for me to descend and find another mountain to climb,” he said. Couser spent three years with the RTI and will now move into the SDNG Joint Force Headquarters as the sergeant major of personnel. By Pfc. Kristin Lichius 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 22:00:00 +0000
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