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SSgt.gt. MMaj.aj. RRoderickoderick PPrioleaurioleau fformallyormally rrelinquisheselinquishes hhisis UUSAG-KASAG-KA ddutiesuties bbyy ppassingassing hhisis sswordword ttoo UUSAG-KASAG-KA CCommanderommander CCol.ol. NNestorestor SSadleradler dduringuring hhisis RRelinquishmentelinquishment ooff RResponsibilitiesesponsibilities cceremonyeremony TThursdayhursday aatt thethe IIslandsland MMemorialemorial CChapel.hapel. FForor mmoreore, sseeee ppageage 33.. PPhotohoto bbyy JJordanordan VinsonVinson USAG-KA officer Douglas Rogers promoted from captain to major Photo by Jordan Vinson aj. Douglas Rogers was promoted from the rank of captain to major in the U.S Army on Wednesday. MU.S. Army-Kwajalein Atoll Commander Col. Nestor Sadler, along with Mrs. Rogers, pinned on Rogers’ new insignia. Maj. Rogers was joined at the brief ceremony by his family, USAG-KA staff and members of the community. THE KWAJALEIN HOURGLASS The Kwajalein Hourglass is named for the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, De- Garrison Commander....... Col. Nestor Sadler insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, partment of the Army or USAG-KA. It is published Sergeant Major.......... Sgt. Maj. David Negron which liberated the island from the forces of Saturdays in accordance with Army Regulation Imperial Japan on Feb. 4, 1944. 360-1 and using a network printer by Kwajalein Public Affairs Offi cer .............Michael Sakaio The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized Range Services editorial staff. Managing Editor ...................... Sheila Gideon publication for military personnel, federal em- Phone: Defense Switching Network 254-2114; ployees, contractor workers and their families Local phone: 52114 Associate Editor ..................... Jordan Vinson assigned to U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Printed circulation: 1,200 Media Specialist......................... Chris Delisio Atoll. Contents of the Hourglass are not nec- Email: essarily offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the [email protected] Media Services Intern.................Molly Premo The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 Sgt. Maj. Roderick Prioleau relinquishes USAG-KA responsibilities Thursday Article and photos by Jordan Vinson Associate Editor gt. Maj. Roderick Prioleau Sended his tenure at U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Thursday in a Relinquishment of Responsi- bility ceremony at the Island Me- morial Chapel. The ceremony, protected from the morning rain by the chapel’s wood- en A-frame, showcased the passing of a sword between the hands of Prioleau and U.S. Army Garrison- Kwajalein Atoll Commander Col. Nestor Sadler. It’s a rite of passage steeped in military tradition that signifi es the transfer of offi cial re- sponsibilities from the incumbent back to Command, formally end- ing Prioleau’s tenure as the base’s highest ranking enlisted advisor. Sadler welcomed the crowd of nearly 100 people at the chapel, Sgt. Maj. Roderick Prioleau clasps the ceremonial sword, a symbol of adherence to military extending thanks to everyone in at- duty and honor, during his Relinquishment of Responsibility ceremony Thursday. Sgt. Maj. tendance from fellow enlisted and David Negron, looking on in the background, assisted in the ceremony. commissioned Army offi cers to civil- Sadler spoke at length about night on the island. ians and contractors. Special visits Prioleau’s larger-than-life charac- “The sergeant major said, ‘Hey to the ceremony were made by Re- ter and dedication to the job dur- guys, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to public of the Marshall Islands Iroij ing his 18 months working within get the colonel and his wife back to Senator Mike Kabua, Iroijlaplap Command on USAG-KA. He made their quarters for the night,’” Sadler (Paramount Chief) and former RMI it clear that the bonds Prioleau had said. “Unbeknownst to me, that president Imata Kabua, RMI Post made on the island were both pro- night lasted well through midnight. Master General Heran Bellu, KALG fessional and personal in nature— But during that night … I paid at- Protocol Offi cer Jesse Riketa and and certain to endure well into the tention; I listened to everything he RMI Liaison Lanny Kabua. future. had to say; and I took his sage ad- “It is only fi tting to have so many “Conducting this ceremony is vice. … During that night we were people here this morning to bid strongly diffi cult for me,” the colo- able to bond, build that trust, car- farewell to Sgt. Maj. Prioleau and nel said. “Because the Command is ing and mutual respect that was to recognize the great contributions not only losing a great sergeant ma- forged forever. You see, I couldn’t to the Kwajalein community [he’s jor—but I’m losing a great friend.” have asked for a better sergeant made].” Prioleau had been instrumental major. But more importantly, a in helping Sadler, who ar- friend.” rived four months ago, get After wishing Prioleau good luck up to speed on the com- and many blessings during his next plexities of running a state- assignment at Fort Bliss, Texas, of-the-art U.S. Army mis- Sadler stepped away to let Prioleau sile defense installation in a take to the podium under a wave of foreign country. But he has applause from the crowd. also been a smiling face and He began his address by thank- dependable comrade that ing everyone in attendance and the Commander and his giving a brief explanation of what wife, Monica, had been so he strove for during his tenure on grateful to have while they USAG-KA. adjusted to life so far away “It has been an honor to be part from home. Sadler told the of team Kwajalein,” Prioleau said. “I story of how Prioleau had have tried to do my best to support Col. Sadler gives the outgoing Sgt. Maj. Prioleau a taken him and his wife un- hug, wishing him luck in his future endeavors. der his wing their very fi rst See PRIOLEAU, page 4 The Kwajalein Hourglass 3 Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 PRIOLEAU from page 3 capabilities and overall readiness of team Kwajalein.” Looking forward, Prioleau talked about how much he will miss the little things that make Kwajalein special. “I’ll never forget riding my shiny bike,” he said. “Greased down and looking pretty on Emon Beach while watching a baggo game and divers coming out of the water.” Even walking to the KRS billing of- fi ce to pay his phone bill and chat with employees there was a treat for him. He said he’ll miss catching the sun- sets with his friends and playing in all the sports leagues that residents oc- cupy themselves with on Kwajalein. Indeed, the volleyball games, softball tournaments and soccer matches Leaders from both USAG-KA and the RMI pause for a photo after the ceremony. From will be a bit quieter now with Priole- left to right: Sgt. Maj. Roderick Prioleau; Iroij Senator Mike Kabua; RMI Liaison Lanny au gone. His booming voice that had Kabua; Col. Nestor Sadler; and Iroijlaplap (Paramount Chief) and former RMI president cheered on so many teams during the Imata Kabua. last 18 months had become quite the the Reagan Test Site, the mission leau had a hand in anything from staple at these gatherings. and its customers. I have tried to planning and managing the RMI In the end Prioleau’s attitude on do my best to work hard to support Trade Fairs and to handling all the USAG-KA, both in uniform and off- our soldiers and … Army civilians real property tasks on the island. duty, refl ected the way in which he … contract employees, families and Working with his team to improve viewed the folks on USAG-KA: as a our host nation partners.” base operations is an experience he family. It wasn’t a group of random Prioleau expressed gratitude for will take with him on future assign- U.S. soldiers and contractors he was having the chance to work with ments, he said. cheering on and chatting up in the Sadler in managing the garrison. “I am proud of what we have ac- community. He and everyone on the “A special recognition for United complished together. We’ve tackled island are part of the same family, he States Garrison-Kwajalein Com- several tough challenges and made said—“team Kwajalein.” mander—aka Nestor Sadler,” Pri- signifi cant improvements to many Prioleau’s next assignment will oleau said gesturing toward the of our most important programs,” take him to Fort Bliss, Texas. In- colonel. “It’s not easy acknowledg- he said. “We have enhanced the ac- formed by the experience he attained ing that a soldier of my character cess to services and improved the serving on USAG-KA, he’ll open the would get the opportunity to work quality of life for our soldiers, Army next chapter in his proud military ca- with a Special Forces airborne civilians, contractors and families. reer there, ready to take on new chal- ranger. Soldiers in many units In doing so, we have increased the lenges ahead. dream about working alongside the extraordinary leaders like yourself, sir. … We dream about being part of your lineage. … My dream has come true.” He said that, while it was an hon- or to serve with the colonel on the job, it was also nice to have Sadler as a friend. “Thanks for giving me the op- portunity to help lead team Kwaja- lein and being your battle buddy,” Prioleau said. “Along the way, I re- ally enjoyed the talks while cruising around in the [golf] cart doing base ops’. I enjoyed those ocean view cookouts.” Prioleau discussed the joy he took directing the litany of projects he tackled as USAG-KA’s highest- “It has been an honor to be part of team Kwajalein,” Sgt. Maj. Roderick Prioleau ranking enlisted advisor. Tasked to said, addressing the crowd of nearly 100 people who attended his Relinquishment of manage garrison operations, Prio- Responsibilities ceremony Thursday at the Island Memorial Chapel.