7th CSC welcomes new command sergeant major

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Osvaldo P. Sanchez
7th Civil Support Command Public Affairs


Command Sgt. Maj. Michael E. Biere assumed the responsibility as command sergeant major of the 7th Civil Support Command  from Command Sgt. Maj. David Stading during a change of responsibility ceremony held at Daenner Parade Field here April 24.

Brig. Gen. Jimmie Jaye Wells, the commanding general of the 7th CSC, presided over the ceremony.

“Command Sergeant Major Biere, welcome aboard,” General Wells said. “We have a challenging mission, but as we work shoulder-to-shoulder to make this command fully operational capable in the months to come, we are assured success.”

Command Sergeant Major Biere, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., previously served as the command sergeant major of the 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment (Attack) of Fort Knox, Ky.

“I’m excited to be here and a member of the command team,” Command Sergeant Major Biere said. “I take serious my responsibilities you and the Army have entrusted in me. I look forward to getting out and meeting the Soldiers and their families and seeing the great work that our Soldiers are doing.”

“It’s great to be here,” Command Sergeant Major Biere said. “I would like to thank Command Sergeant Major Stading for his service to our country and all of his hard work in the last two years during the transformation of the 7th Civil Support Command.”

General Wells bid farewell to his senior enlisted adviser — Command Sergeant Major Stading.

“Command Sergeant Major David Stading, I appreciate your support and dedication to this command and throughout the stand up of the 7th Civil Support Command,” General Wells said. “You have been with me the whole way. Thank you for your loyal service, your leadership in our command and your lifetime commitment to excellence. This command and I wish you all the best.”

Command Sergeant Major Stading, an Austin, Texas, native, served as the senior enlisted leader since February 2008 during its transformation from an augmenting
element to an operational command.

“Wow! What a ride and what an incredible experience,” said Command Sergeant Major Stading, referring to his more than 30 years of military service. The 7th CSC is the most exciting mission in the U.S. Army Reserve, he said. He also expressed his gratitude to Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Spencer, the senior enlisted leader of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, for his mentoring and 1st Sgt. Karen Beckford, the first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th CSC, for her dedication in leading Soldiers.

Command Sergeant Major Stading said he is retiring to Austin to build a retirement home on Cannon Lake where he will do plenty of hobbies like hunting, fishing and restoring a 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck. He also said he hopes to fundraise for various groups and conduct volunteer work with youth at risk.

The 7th CSC is an operational and expeditionary force of Army Reserve Soldiers ready to provide forward-stationed command and control, consequence management and civil affairs capabilities under the direction of the 21st TSC to support U.S. Army Europe’s missions. The command is headquartered in Kaiserslautern and comprises 22 subordinate units throughout Germany and Italy with approximately 1,000 European-based Army Reserve Soldiers.