743d MI Battalion bids farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Ramsey

Published Feb. 8, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Gabrielle Spradling
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 743d Military Intelligence Battalion bid farewell to outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond S. Ramsey Feb. 5, 2016, in a ceremony on Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. Ramsey is being replaced by Command Sgt. Maj. Kristen Grover.

Ramsey is a truthful and fair leader, according to 1st Sgt. Eric Ewing, Bravo Company first sergeant, and has been the command sergeant major for the 743d MI Battalion for almost two years.

"I try to influence people by what is right, rather than because it's what I want," said Ramsey. "This is the right way to do it and for these reasons."

Throughout his career, Ramsey, who joined the Army in 1985 has held many positions and has been on numerous deployments. He says that he will miss the people he has worked with during his time in the Army.

"Meetings, I'm good if I never attend another one, but the people, that's the part I'm going to miss," said Ramsey.

Grover, who enlisted in the Army in 1996, will fill the position of command sergeant major of the 743d MI Battalion.

"I'm going to continue the efforts Ramsey has put in place and I wish him, his wife and his daughter all the best as they venture into this new chapter of their life," said Grover.
The next stage of Ramsey's life will soon include retirement and the search to find a new position.

"I've given thought to what comes next, but I haven't really begun that soul searching, floating resumes and stuff like that, but it'll be in the area that I know," said Ramsey.

Grover recently completed the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.

"My goals are to take care of soldiers and to just improve on what's already in place in the organization and make it a little bit better than it was before," said Grover.

The upcoming changes for Ramsey and his family are exciting and he looks forward to seeing what comes next.

"To a greater or lesser extent we all define ourselves professionally to a certain degree and at this point I've been doing that for almost 31 years," said Ramsey. "I am not saying being in the Army defines me, but it defines a certain amount of who we are and so it's an adjustment. I don't know if nervous is the right word, it's more that change causes you to be introspective and to think more."

Ramsey departs the 743d with well-wishes to everyone he has worked with and hopes young soldiers will take advantage of all the Army has to offer.

"The Army is an adventure and there are some real opportunities available to the young service men and women," said Ramsey. "You just hope that they don't leave a lot of things undone, whether you're in for six more months or 10 more years, don't leave it undone. If there is something that interests you, something that excites you then do it, just go for it."

Grover says she is excited for the new challenge of being the 743d MI Battalion's command sergeant major.

"I look forward to meeting and working with each of them and learning a little about what they do here to help the 743d, 704th, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, and the Army mission," said Grover.