- Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston, the outgoing 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team command sergeant major, stands at the front of a brigade formation during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Hall of Champions May 15.
BAUMHOLDER, Germany – In another step toward the brigade’s inactivation in October, two of the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s most senior enlisted leaders welcomed their replacements and bid farewell to their troops during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Hall of Champions May 15.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston transferred his responsibilities as the brigade’s command sergeant major to Command Sgt. Maj. James Ackermann while Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Watson transferred his responsibilities as the battalion command sergeant major of 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment to Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Nissen.
Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Watson, the outgoing battalion command sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, walks away from his battalion's formation after transferring his responsibilities to Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Nissen.
Grinston and Watson trained and deployed with their Soldiers as command sergeants major to Afghanistan last year.
“For the past three years, it has been a privilege to stand with Command Sgt. Maj. Grinston as we have together led this brigade through training and operations. It is no exaggeration to say that Sgt. Maj. Grinston’s leadership and personal efforts have been at the heart of our team’s success,” said Col. Patrick Matlock, the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander.
Matlock said Grinston was also the senior enlisted U.S. service member in northern Afghanistan.
“[Grinston] has had a tremendous positive impact on not just the brigade’s operations, but also Regional Command North and indeed the entire country. This ability to work with confidence across all branches from the smallest units to the largest is a hallmark of our very best senior enlisted leaders. Command Sgt. Maj. Grinston met this test and more,” Matlock said.
Matlock also thanked Watson for his service as the Vanguard Battalion’s command sergeant major. Watson will move to Fort Drum, N.Y. and become the brigade command sergeant major for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Command Sgt. Maj. James Ackermann assumes responsibility as the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team command sergeant major.
“[Watson] has been an important part of our team and I wish him the very best of success in his new position,” Matlock said.
Grinston will move to Fort Campbell, Ky., where he will be assigned as the brigade command sergeant major for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to be called your command sergeant major,” Grinston said to his former Soldiers.
Grinston thanked his family and many Soldiers throughout the brigade. He also reminded everyone to remember those who the brigade lost during Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Please do not let us forget the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be here today. We lost nine Soldiers while deployed. These Soldiers will never be forgotten,” Grinston said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston, the outgoing 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team command sergeant major, listens as Col. Patrick Matlock, the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony.
