CSM Noland heads to 3rd Battalion

The 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, held a change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 14 at the Ranger Memorial as CSM Bradley K. Meyers handed over the reins of Battalion to CSM Edward Noland.

“The one thing that separates the United States Army from any other force is not our equipment, nor our officer leadership, and not the motivation of our Soldiers and Rangers,” said LTC Mark O’Donnell, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. commander. “Rather, it is the competence and professionalism of our noncommissioned officer corps. And nowhere is that corps stronger than the 75th Ranger Regiment.”

As the battalion said goodbye to CSM Meyers, they welcomed back CSM Noland who is no stranger to the battalion. CSM Noland served as a platoon sergeant in two line companies and as first sergeant in A Company.

“CSM Noland frequently served as the senior enlisted advisor to task force commanders, and brings an interesting perspective and insight to the battalion,” LTC O’Donnell said. “CSM Noland is not only very familiar with the battalion, but with most of its key leaders.

“As the regimental commanding officer is fond of saying, ‘with great opportunity comes great responsibility also,’” LTC O’Donnell said. “We have a lot to do, and a deployment awaits us a short four months from now. I’m thrilled to have you on board and look forward to the months ahead.”

“It is truly the greatest honor I’ve ever had. I look forward to closing and destroying the enemy with you. Rangers lead the way,” CSM Noland said.

Speaking about the outgoing command sergeant major, LTC O’Donnell said superb NCO leadership begins at the top with men like CSM Meyers.

“As a mentor and coach, there is none better,” he said. “After 26 years of service, and five years in different units as a command sergeant major, his advice is sound, relevant and always insightful,” the battalion commander said.

“CSM Meyers has been a trusted adviser, an incredibly selfless member of our command team and, most of all, he’s been a great friend.”

In the nine years of combat, Rangers have established themselves as the nation’s premier direct action raid force. Targeting high value targets across Iraq and Afghanistan, 3rd Battalion has conducted over 2,600 raids during its 14 combat deployments resulting in the killing or capturing of thousands of key al-Qaida, Taliban and other insurgent leaders.

“I have had the absolute privilege over the last two years to go with these men on some of their missions, and I have been able to observe them on the battlefield and witnessed the most awe inspiring actions,” CSM Meyers said. “These men execute missions almost on a nightly basis and at times the battalion as a whole has executed 10 missions in a night.

“There must be within our Army a sense of purpose and a dedication to that purpose. There must be a willingness to march a little farther, carry a heavier load, to step out into the dark and unknown for the safety and well-being of others,” CSM Meyers said in quoting GEN Creighton Abrams, who commanded U.S. military operations in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972.

“You men are the living embodiment of that charter,” CSM Meyers said.

CSM Meyers’ next assignment is command sergeant major for the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

This story was originally published September 23, 2010 at 5:20 PM with the headline "CSM Noland heads to 3rd Battalion."