'He's got a good heart': Fort Eisenhower welcomes new Garrison Command Sgt. Maj.

Fort Eisenhower on Tuesday introduced a new leader to its ranks while sending off another in style.

CSM Aaron Rose handed over the responsibility of Garrison Command Sergeant Major to CSM Daniel Durette in a celebratory change of responsibility ceremony held at the Eisenhower Conference and Catering Center.

As Durette explained, the CSM works directly for the garrison commander and to provide him with advice on all matters pertaining to the life, welfare and support for all of the soldiers and families in the garrison.

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"The soldiers and the families, their welfare and morale is what I'm initially getting into and getting after right now," he said.

Durette previously worked at the human resources command at Fort Knox in Kentucky. The New Jersey native has been in the Army since 1998. His record includes three combat deployments to Iraq and several awards including the Bronze Star, the Signal Corps' Bronze Order of Mercury and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Bade.

"He's got the care and compassion to lead people," Rose said. "He's got a good heart, he's got the ear to listen to people, and he's motivated to really make an impact and to make a difference in the community."

Rose served as CSM for two years. During the ceremony, he was given many fond well-wishes as he enters retirement, including some coming from out-of-town to show their support. He was very gracious for the outpouring from his colleagues. Looking ahead, Rose has a job lined up to be an operations director for a company in Austin, Texas.

Among those who were supportive of both the incoming and outgoing CSM was Fort Eisenhower Garrison Commander Col. Reginald Evans, who gave some remarks during the ceremony.

"I can think of no one else that I'd want to be with in the trenches other than Aaron J. Rose," Evans said. "Sgt. Maj. Durette, the Army chose you for this specific assignment for a reason. Based on our interactions the last two weeks, I know you are the right leader at the right time. Where Sgt. Maj. Rose at times had to be the hammer to beat things into place, I see you as the mallet that we now need to deliver steady, precise strikes with a positive drive."

A video of the full ceremony is available to watch on the Fort Eisenhower Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Fort Eisenhower Garrison Command Sergeant Major retirement ceremony