Rakkasans bade Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Burgoyne farewell as they welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Alvaro Pertuz to 3rd Brigade Combat Team Wednesday during a change of responsibility ceremony at Wilson Theater.
The ceremony brought several community leaders and veterans of the Rakkasans to Fort Campbell to meet with the 3rd BCT senior enlisted adviser and wish Burgoyne the best of luck at his new assignment.
Burgoyne will become the operations sergeant major for the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Guests included Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and a Champion of Fort Campbell Bill Harpel, Champion of Fort Campbell Phil Harpel, Honorary Command Sergeant Major of the Regiment retired Command Sgt. Maj. James Musgrove, and the 101st Airborne Division’s senior enlisted leader Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims.
Burgoyne served as a Rakkasans for a little more than two years, arriving to the unit in November 2015. During his time with the brigade, he oversaw two trips to JRTC in the same year, and a brigade-level deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Resolute Support.
The ceremony was difficult for Burgoyne, he said.
“Walking away today is hard, knowing that I had the best job in the Army,” he said. “But I am proud to say that I served as Rak 7.”
Burgoyne took time to thank Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Poppas, commander of the 101st Abn. Div. and Fort Campbell, and Sims for their leadership and the improvements they have made for the Soldiers and units on Fort Campbell. “Command Sgt. Maj. Sims, you’ve reached out with open arms and are always the example of what right looks like,” he said. “Although you are the division sergeant major, you always treated me as a peer, not a subordinate. I am looking forward to working with you again in the future.”
Pertuz arrives to Fort Campbell after leaving his position as the operations sergeant major for 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Polk, Louisiana. With more than 40 months of service deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, Pertuz brings a wealth of experience to 3rd BCT.
He thanked Burgoyne for his leadership of the unit and for helping him into the role. Pertuz said he is proud to be the new Rakkasan command sergeant major.
“The 101st and the Rakkasans’ great reputation preceded our relocation to Fort Campbell,” Pertuz said. “With that, I’ve imagined this day many times. But nothing I could imagine prepared me for what I feel right now. I am sincerely honored and proud to be a part of the 101st Division and to stand in front of you all as the new command sergeant major of the Rakkasans.”