YPG hosts Change of Responsibility ceremony
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Early Thursday morning, the Yuma Proving Ground hosted the change in responsibility ceremony, which only happens every two years.
The outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Millare passed on his responsibilities to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua C. Holthus.
The Command Sergeant Major is the highest-ranking enlisted person on site and serves as a leader, advocating for soldiers, and their families.
“As senior enlisted leaders at Yuma Proving Ground, we do a, we rotate every two years, so it was just my time to go,” says outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Millare.
Millare has been in this position since July 13, 2023, serving as the highest-ranking enlisted person at the proving ground.
He now will be turning over his responsibilities to Command Sgt. Maj. Holthus.
Millare says, “Him and I came from the same brigade and acquisition, and army testing is going to be foreign for him. Even now after two years, I would say that I’m still not like 100% know everything, so I would say keep an open mind and start learning.”
Holthus says he plans to continue leading and advocating for soldiers and their families stepping into this new role.
“I became an acclamation officer well over twenty years ago, and that is the expectation of an acclamation officer is to do those things from the get go,” says Holthus.
The Command Sergeant Major serves under Colonel John Nelson. Col. Nelson shares this thoughts on the change of responsibility.
“I’m feeling bittersweet about today’s ceremony because we’re saying, you know, goodbye to my senior listed advisor that’s been serving in that position for the last two years, but also kind of sweet because were welcoming in another outstanding non-commissioning officer Commander Sergeant Major Holfus,” says Nelson.