New CSM joins ‘Team 21’

The 21st Theater Sustainment Command welcomed a new senior enlisted leader and bid a fond farewell to his predecessor during a dynamic change of responsibility ceremony held July 8 at Panzer Field.

Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado, a combat-tested logistician who served most recently as the Army Materiel Command operations and logistics sergeant major, replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley O. Richards, who served as senior enlisted leader of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade for the past two years as well as the TSC’s top enlisted man since mid-March, during the afternoon ceremony.

Around 150 Soldiers, Civilians and Family members joined key command and subordinate organizational leaders, German allies, and distinguished visitors from Wiesbaden to Grafenwoehr for the 45-minute ceremony.

The outgoing command sergeant major, a key figure in major regional operations and events from Anakonda ‘16
and Southern European Sustainment Terrain Walk to the TSC Best Warrior Competition and Senior Leaders Forum, maintained a dizzying pace during his tenure with “Team 21.” Richards not only served simultaneously as a senior leader at brigade and command echelons but figured prominently in social and community activities like the European Sustainment Ball and Rheinland-Pfalz Tag. The Phenix City, Alabama, native will serve as logistics sergeant major at U.S. Army Africa headquarters in Vicenza, Italy, during his next
assignment.

Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, the TSC commanding general, praised Richards’ performance and can-do spirit during his remarks.

“He led from the front and set a great example,” Gamble said. “He inspired the Soldiers and the team around him to make mission. It’s been a privilege to have him as part of our team.”

“Words can’t adequately express the gratitude I have for everything you’ve done,” he added. “You and (Richards’ wife) Jane performed flawlessly in everything you did, whether a mission or a social event. The enthusiasm and energy you brought to bear during the last 120 days made the team better in every way.”

The CG also praised his incoming senior enlisted leader, expressing strong confidence in his expertise and leadership qualities.

“What will help make him a great leader is his experience in the field, in the dirt, in combat with Soldiers, accomplishing logistics missions in an expeditionary manner,” Gamble said, describing Delgado as ‘ideal for training, mentoring and inspiring Soldiers and advising commanders.’ “I consider myself, every officer, every NCO and every Soldier as well as our partners and enablers lucky to have a leader of his caliber. We’re in good hands.”    

The outgoing senior enlisted leader followed the general to the podium, thanking Gamble, the TSC staff, brigade command sergeants major and other helpful team mates, praising “Team 21” personnel and emphasizing key accomplishments during operations like Anakonda – a major Polish-led multinational exercise showcasing allied interoperability, unity and resolve culminating in mid-June.

“We were proud and gratified by what our team accomplished in Poland,” he said. “What the CG and I saw personally on the ground across Poland vindicated all our efforts and reminded us what an awesome team we lead and what we can achieve together with brother units, sister services, allies and partners.” 

After a strong endorsement of his successor, Richards closed with praise for team mates he grew “quite attached to” during his time at TSC headquarters, invoking the command motto in the process.

“I know where I’ll turn if I need help with logistics,” he said. “I’ll never forget my time here and the great team mates I served with, and I’ll never forget who’s ‘First in Support.’” 

Delgado thanked his CG, his predecessor and his Family for their consideration and support.

“I’m honored and humbled to serve as the next 21st TSC senior enlisted leader,” the New York City native said. “General Gamble, I sincerely appreciate the trust you’ve placed in me, and the opportunity to serve as a key leader alongside such an awesome team and such a distinguished commander. I won’t let you down.”

“I’ll do everything within my power to set the example for all our teammates to emulate,” he added. “I look eagerly forward to the next three years and everything we’ll accomplish together.”

The incoming command sergeant major won’t need directions as he circulates the TSC “footprint.” Delgado served previously as garrison command sergeant major in Mannheim. He also served with a field artillery regiment based in Ansbach.

The new TSC command sergeant major served not only as a senior staff sergeant major at AMC headquarters but previously as senior enlisted leader of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, the U.S. Army Central Command Materiel Recovery Element Brigade and the 10th Special Forces Group Support Battalion. Prior to his tenure as a sergeant major, he held leadership positions from squad and small group leader to warehouse and facility manager to first sergeant. His missions carried him from such premier operational centers as Fort Bragg to major logistics hubs in Washington, Fort Lee and central Pennsylvania. He travelled north to Alaska, where he served with the 706th Main Support Battalion, and south to Italy, working for the NATO Communication Logistics Depot.

Delgado’s extensive operational and combat experience includes deployments in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.