Dugway Proving Ground welcomed its newest command sergeant major during a ceremony Tuesday morning at the installation.
Command Sgt. Maj. Joe A. Bonds took over the role of senior enlisted leader from Command Sgt. Maj. Montonya Boozier, who served in that role since February 2015, according to a news release from Dugway Proving Ground.
Bonds arrives at the installation from the 84th Chemical Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Boozier’s next assignment will be at the U.S. Army Central Command at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.
Dugway commander Col. Sean Kirschner had high praise for Boozier and her efforts on civilian fitness, command maintenance, logistics and other duties, according to the release. Kirschner also recognized Boozier’s efforts to present the installation as professional and competent.
“Sgt. Major Boozier has been an invaluable and trusted adviser to myself and (former commander) Col. Fizer,” Kirschner said, in the release. “I couldn’t have asked for a better Command Sergeant Major; this installation benefited immensely from her leadership.”
Boozier praised the work by civilian and military employees at Dugway and defended the installation’s “stellar” reputation, according to the release.
“I go away from here knowing that we as a team put all our efforts together to serve the nation and the Warfighter,” she said.
Bonds entered the Army in 1989 and became an Army Chemical Corps Soldier in 1995, the release said. He worked his way up from squad leader to Command Sergeant Major, which is the highest enlisted rank beside Sergeant Major of the Army.
Bonds is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, according to the release. He is also the recipient of the Honorable Order of the Dragon, an exclusive honor reserved to the Army Chemical Corps.
Bonds Dugway assignment is expected to last two years.
“It’s a great opportunity to serve with Team Dugway,” Bonds said. “I look forward to making a great place even greater. The mission here is unique.”