The U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) transferred a senior role in its command while honoring a high-ranking soldier’s decades of service, Wednesday morning.
Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic, commanding general of U.S. Army Cyber Command and Fort Eisenhower, was the presiding officer over the Change of Responsibility ceremony in the Juniper Ballroom of Eisenhower Conference & Catering.
The event saw the official transfer of responsibilities in the role of senior enlisted advisor to the CCoE commanding general from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Michael K. Starrett to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy McGuire, who came from his previous role as the command sergeant major for the 7th Signal Command at Fort Meade, Md.
“That’s the power of our Army. We don’t lack talent. We have no want for talent. All of us could be, will be, have been, easily replaced. The focus is on the outcome of the mission,” said Janovic in his address during the ceremony. “The people will change in a Change of Responsibility and a Change of Command, and there will be small changes afoot, but what doesn’t change is the heartbeat of the organization, is the accomplishment of the mission.”
Per tradition, Starrett’s wife, Angelina Starrett, received a bouquet of red roses to signify appreciation for her and her husband’s years of service. Dr. Melissa McCaw, wife of Maj. McGuire, along with their daughter and son, received wrapped gifts, in lieu of the traditional yellow roses, as tokens of welcome to the Cyber Center at Fort Eisenhower.
In the ceremony, Sgt. Maj. Starett passed the colors, or unit flag, of the Cyber Command to Janovic, who in turn passed it to McGuire, representing Starett’s relinquishing of responsibilities and the confidence placed in McGuire’s commitment to the position.
In his address after the transfer of colors, McGuire recalled his own training as a private at the former Fort Gordon after he enlisted in 1995.
“Some things have changed, some things have stayed the same,” he said, stressing the importance of his new role, and noting earlier that day his talking with soldiers, warrant officers and civilians throughout the post. “It really does emphasize how absolutely impressed I am with the community and how I really feel this is the place I need to be.”
The Change of Responsibility was immediately followed by a retirement ceremony for Starrett, who ended his tenure of service after 33 years. A Dallas native, Starrett also came to Fort Eisenhower after serving as command sergeant major at Fort Meade. He also served two combat tours in Afghanistan, and has a Legion of Merit, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Medal among his many decorations.
“I would tell you that if young soldiers were to ask me, ‘is it worth it?’ I’d tell him, the Army gave me purpose, gave me stability, education and mentorship and a lifelong career that I would never imagine possible,” said Starrett in his retirement address. “To the cyber Center of Excellence in Fort Eisenhower, the United States Army and all I’ve served with, you gave me a family, a mission and a life of honor, I will be forever grateful.”
Skyler Andrews is a reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
