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US Army Africa welcomes new command sergeant major
Christopher Gilpin most recently was 3rd Infantry Divisions senior noncommissioned officer
Gilpin CSM US Africa
Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Gilpin thanks the people in his life who have helped in his career during a change-of-responsibility ceremony at Hoekstra Field, Caserma Ederle, on Friday. Gilpin assumes responsibility as U.S. Army Africas senior enlisted soldier. - photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds/U.S. Army Africa photo
Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds
U.S. Army Public Affairs
Updated: Jan 14, 2016, 6:32 PM
Published: Jan 14, 2016, 6:35 PM

VICENZA, Italy — Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Gilpin assumed the position of U.S. Army Africa’s senior noncommissioned officer during a change of responsibility ceremony Friday at Caserma Ederle’s Hoekstra Field.

Despite frigid temperatures, the ceremony was an opportunity for soldiers, family and friends to welcome Gilpin and his family into the Vicenza military community.

Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, the USARAF commanding general, presided over the ceremony.

Williams welcomed ceremony attendees and gave kudos to outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Stitzel.

“During his time here, Stitzel has been a great coach, mentor and leader, as well as a close and valued adviser to me,” Williams said.

“He traveled with me to many countries on the African continent, where we helped partners understand the USARAF mission and cement relationships for future training opportunities.

“Perhaps the most challenging trip we made together was to Liberia to support the great people of that nation in their valiant battle against Ebola,” Williams added.

Williams said the challenges of working in Africa are complex and never-ending, and success at USARAF is only possible with a team of flexible, quick-thinking professionals.

He added that this command assignment demands a command sergeant major who can see challenges as opportunities, not obstacles.

“Stitzel has been that man,” Williams said.

“Today isn’t about saying goodbye,” Williams added.

“We are welcoming Command Sgt. Maj. Gilpin and his family to the Vicenza military community.”

Gilpin’s most recent assignment was as command sergeant major of the 3rd Infantry Division on Fort Stewart.

He also recently returned from a 12-month deployment in Afghanistan with soldiers from 3rd ID’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.

“I look forward to working with Sgt. Maj. Gilpin,” Williams said.

“In my opinion, one of the greatest strengths in our military is the vast capability we gain by working in different units, countries and cultures,” Williams said.

“Each time we move, we gain unique experiences, and we take these with us,” he added.

Gilpin emigrated from Jamaica after high school and has more than 29 years in the Army.

Gilpin enlisted in the Army in 1986 and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning. Since then, he served as an infantryman in every leadership position from team leader to command sergeant major.

His duty assignments and deployments include Fort Hood, Fort Stewart, Vermont, Korea, Fort Bragg, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Riley, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011
Bryan County News
Published: Apr 10, 2018, 1:53 PM

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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