thedrifter
06-09-07, 07:42 AM
June 9, 2007 - 12:00AM
Sgt. Maj. Bly steps down at New River
KELLEY CHAMBERS
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Sgt. Maj. William H. Bly Jr. had two words of advice for his successor at the New River Air Station on Friday.
"Have fun," Bly said. "That's No. 1. And take care of the Marines and sailors here."
After 30 years in the Marine Corps, Bly passed his duties as sergeant major of the air station to Sgt. Maj. David B. Poynter in front of friends, colleagues and family.
Bly also concluded his military career, as Friday's event marked a combined relief, appointment and retirement ceremony.
The rank of sergeant major is a unit's senior enlisted advisor. As the sergeant major of the air station, the role is also that of the right-hand man to the commanding officer, air station spokesman Cpl. Brandon Gale said.
"He's the voice for the enlisted troops," Gale said. "The sergeant major has that link (to the commanding officer) that ... other (noncommissioned officers) might not have, so he should know the wants, needs and requirements of the troops."
Having served as a recruiter and drill instructor, as well as participating in several deployments, including being among the first wave of East Coast troops sent to Iraq in 2003, Bly said he has had the opportunity to observe an evolving Marine Corps from all angles.
Prior to his appointment to sergeant major of the air station last May, Bly was assigned as the sergeant major of the Marine Aircraft Group 29, a position he held for two years.
"(I've noticed) our adaptation to the environment, (particularly) the Global War on Terror," Bly said. "Instead of falling behind, we've kept up and are adjusting."
In addition to giving him several certificates and letters of recognition signed and written by military figureheads like Gen. James T. Conway and President George W. Bush, Air Station commanding officer Col. Darrell L. Thacker Jr. also had a few words of appreciation for Bly's honorable service.
"He's a great sergeant major and, more importantly, a good Marine and good man," Thacker said. "In his own way, he has helped make the Marine Corps and the individuals themselves who they are."
Bly's relief and Poynter's appointment were done by the passing of the sword, in which Thacker took a sword symbolizing the office from Bly and placed it in Poynter's possession.
Poynter has served nearly 27 years in the Marine Corps and was previously assigned as sergeant major for 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, which recently served in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Poynter also participated in the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon, in the early 1980s and served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm roughly a decade later.
Standing on the flightline ready to accept his post as sergeant major to the air station, Poynter thanked his wife, Bly and Thacker for the opportunity. The last time he was at this particular location, Poynter said, he was a young private first-class.
"Twenty-six years later, here I stand as a sergeant major," said Poynter, 44. "I can assure you anyone who knew Pfc. Poynter wouldn't have believed this. A lot of people have helped me get here."
Contact Kelley Chambers at kchambers@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8462.
Ellie
Sgt. Maj. Bly steps down at New River
KELLEY CHAMBERS
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Sgt. Maj. William H. Bly Jr. had two words of advice for his successor at the New River Air Station on Friday.
"Have fun," Bly said. "That's No. 1. And take care of the Marines and sailors here."
After 30 years in the Marine Corps, Bly passed his duties as sergeant major of the air station to Sgt. Maj. David B. Poynter in front of friends, colleagues and family.
Bly also concluded his military career, as Friday's event marked a combined relief, appointment and retirement ceremony.
The rank of sergeant major is a unit's senior enlisted advisor. As the sergeant major of the air station, the role is also that of the right-hand man to the commanding officer, air station spokesman Cpl. Brandon Gale said.
"He's the voice for the enlisted troops," Gale said. "The sergeant major has that link (to the commanding officer) that ... other (noncommissioned officers) might not have, so he should know the wants, needs and requirements of the troops."
Having served as a recruiter and drill instructor, as well as participating in several deployments, including being among the first wave of East Coast troops sent to Iraq in 2003, Bly said he has had the opportunity to observe an evolving Marine Corps from all angles.
Prior to his appointment to sergeant major of the air station last May, Bly was assigned as the sergeant major of the Marine Aircraft Group 29, a position he held for two years.
"(I've noticed) our adaptation to the environment, (particularly) the Global War on Terror," Bly said. "Instead of falling behind, we've kept up and are adjusting."
In addition to giving him several certificates and letters of recognition signed and written by military figureheads like Gen. James T. Conway and President George W. Bush, Air Station commanding officer Col. Darrell L. Thacker Jr. also had a few words of appreciation for Bly's honorable service.
"He's a great sergeant major and, more importantly, a good Marine and good man," Thacker said. "In his own way, he has helped make the Marine Corps and the individuals themselves who they are."
Bly's relief and Poynter's appointment were done by the passing of the sword, in which Thacker took a sword symbolizing the office from Bly and placed it in Poynter's possession.
Poynter has served nearly 27 years in the Marine Corps and was previously assigned as sergeant major for 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, which recently served in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Poynter also participated in the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon, in the early 1980s and served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm roughly a decade later.
Standing on the flightline ready to accept his post as sergeant major to the air station, Poynter thanked his wife, Bly and Thacker for the opportunity. The last time he was at this particular location, Poynter said, he was a young private first-class.
"Twenty-six years later, here I stand as a sergeant major," said Poynter, 44. "I can assure you anyone who knew Pfc. Poynter wouldn't have believed this. A lot of people have helped me get here."
Contact Kelley Chambers at kchambers@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8462.
Ellie