Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Theater Sustainment Command held a change of responsibility ceremony Oct.1 in front of the 1st TSC headquarters here.

1st Sgt. Antwan D. Stanley, outgoing first sergeant, relinquished his responsibility as the top enlisted Soldier in HHC to 1st Sgt. Charles L. York, incoming first sergeant.

Capt. Marco G. Lara, commander, HHC, STB, 1st TSC, officiated the ceremony and credited much of the success that the HHC Spartan team achieved during his tenure directly to his outgoing first sergeant.

“1st Sgt. Stanley was responsible for so much in this unit and he will be sorely missed.” Lara said during his remarks.

He also acknowledged Stanley’s ever-present counsel as a key factor in making him a better officer immediately after he assumed command.
While reflecting on what they had achieved over the past year, Lara shifted his focus to the future of the company and to the senior noncommissioned officer who would be his new first sergeant.

”I look forward to working with 1st Sgt. York and know that his professionalism will leave a mark on this organization as well,” Lara added.

During the ceremony, the passing of the unit’s guidon from the outgoing first sergeant to the commander and then to the incoming first sergeant is the centerpiece of the event. The handing over of the guidon is meant to symbolize the transition of enlisted leadership, as well as the continuation of trust between the commander and the senior enlisted leader in the organization.

Once the responsibility was officially relinquished, Stanley addressed the Spartan Soldiers for a final time and emphasized how appreciative he was of his time in the first sergeant position, offering words of advice and encouragement to the Soldiers.

“Adapt to change, seek professional growth and self-improvement,” Stanley said. “I hope that [all of you] flourish in your careers; continue to push yourselves and each other to accomplish whatever goals you want.”

Stanley concluded his time as Spartan 7 in true servant-leader fashion by thanking a long list of Soldiers for their help in shaping him as a leader and recognizing his wife Tanesha’s profound impact on his success over the years.

The attention finally turned the incoming senior enlisted leader who addressed the assembled Spartan team for the first time.

“I am humbled to be your first sergeant and look forward to our time together,” York said.

While promising to be there with the Soldiers every step of the way, the new first sergeant also reflected on how fortunate he was to have been given this opportunity to lead. Speaking directly to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Perry III, 1st TSC senior enlisted advisor, who had mentored him during past assignments, York offered effusive praise.

“Your guidance and example are second to none. You are the epitome of everything I have sought after in a leader. I thank you and the command team for trusting me with our most valued assets, our Soldiers.”