Army South top NCO relinquishes duties, new CSM ready to serve Army South team

Maj. Gen. Frederick S. Rudesheim, the U.S. Army South commanding general, passes Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Zavodsky, the NCO sword during the Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas Nov. 2.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas--Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Cervantes relinquished his duties as U.S. Army South’s top non-commissioned officer to Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Zavodsky during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony outside the Army South Headquarters building Nov. 2.

The ceremony, which is highlighted by the passing of the NCO sword, is a formal relinquishing of responsibilities between two sergeants major. 

“This is a ceremony that celebrates the non-commissioned officer,” said Maj. Gen. Frederick Rudesheim, Army South commanding general. “It is a tangible expression of the passing of the responsibilities from one sergeant major to another.”

The command sergeant major in Army units carries out policies and ensures standards are maintained in the performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted personnel. The command sergeant major advises and initiates recommendations to the commander and staff in matters pertaining to the local NCO support channel and the discipline of Soldiers.

Cervantes, who has served as the standard bearer for Army South over the last three years, spoke favorably about his time at Army South.

“Time has really flown by,” said Cervantes, whose next assignment will take him to Afghanistan. “I was honored to be assigned here and work with everyone.”

Over the past three years since Cervantes’ arrival, the role of Army South changed to a deployable force, with support focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This was no more evident when the headquarters deployed to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.

“The Army asked us to train to be able to ‘pick up’ the headquarters and deploy in support of contingency operations,” he said. “Two months after I arrived here the devastating earthquake hit Haiti. I can tell you that it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of that because contingency operations are no-fail missions.”

Zavodsky, who is now tasked to be the senior enlisted advisor for the command, said he looks forward to working with and leading all those at Army South going forward. He also took a few minutes to thank his new boss and old friend Cervantes.

“I’m here to serve the great Soldiers, family members and civilians of this great command,” said Zavodsky, who has worked alongside Cervantes in the past. “Major General Rudesheim, thank you for this opportunity, and Command Sergeant Major Cervantes, I couldn’t think of a better person to have conducted this relief in place with.” 

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U.S. Army South conducts change of command ceremony, Rudesheim takes command