Signal Corps receives new top enlisted leader
By Laura LeveringJanuary 11, 2023
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett, U.S. Army Signal School command sergeant major, delivers remarks during his assumption of responsibility ceremony Jan. 10 at Fort Gordon. (Photo Credit: Laura Levering, U.S. Army Signal School) VIEW ORIGINAL
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Paul Howard, 42nd chief of Signal and U.S. Army Signal School commandant, speaks during Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett's assumption of responsibility ceremony held Jan. 10 at Fort Gordon. (Photo Credit: Laura Levering, U.S. Army Signal School) VIEW ORIGINAL
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Starrett, right, Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon command sergeant major, attends the assumption of responsibility ceremony for Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett. (Photo Credit: Laura Levering, U.S. Army Signal School) VIEW ORIGINAL
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett, U.S. Army Signal School command sergeant major, renders a salute to Col. Paul Howard following his assumption of responsibility ceremony held Jan. 10 at Fort Gordon. (Photo Credit: Laura Levering, U.S. Army Signal School) VIEW ORIGINAL
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett, left-center, U.S. Army Signal School command sergeant major, poses for a photo during a reception following his assumption of responsibility ceremony Jan. 10 at Fort Gordon. (Photo Credit: Laura Levering, U.S. Army Signal School) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Signal Corps welcomed its new senior enlisted leader on Tuesday.
Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett accepted his role as the 25th regimental command sergeant major during an assumption of responsibility ceremony held at Gordon's Conference and Catering.
Barrett succeeded Sgt. Maj. Darien Lawshea, who served as the regimental command sergeant major since June 2020.
Col. Paul Howard, 42nd chief of Signal and U.S. Army Signal School commandant, presided over the ceremony.
Howard described the event as a time of "joy and celebration" as he welcomed Barrett to the team, then briefly outlined some expectations for the new command sergeant major, who Howard said has proven to have a successful career as a signal Soldier.
"He's my eyes and ears to provide feedback from the entire regiment – 60,000 strong," Howard said of Barrett's position. "He's responsible for knowing what's right and wrong, good and bad, and getting that information back up to me. He's there to make sure that we get the programs of instruction right, doctrine written the right way … he's there to make sure that we get feedback into writing materiel requirements, organizational design – the whole works."
Adding to the list of expectations, Howard said the command sergeant major wears the titles of expert, teacher, coach, mentor, and many more. Perhaps most importantly, Howard said Barrett is "there to make sure that the signal Soldiers are able to get the message through," by overseeing curriculum development, certifying instructors, ensuring the highest standards, and setting clear expectations – particularly for NCOs and Soldier-trainees.
"Thousands of recruits coming through are looking to him to be the shining example," Howard said.
Prior to arriving at Fort Gordon, Barrett served as the J6 senior enlisted leader at Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNC).
Barrett said he was humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve with "the best regiment in the Army," adding that he promised to give "200 percent every day."
"I am dedicated to doing my part steward of the Army profession, and I will give all I got to build trust and create teams that are prepared to support our Army and the warfighters," Barrett said.
A native of Spring Lake, North Carolina, Barrett enlisted in the Army as a signal support specialist (25U) in January 1996. His military education includes every level of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System including Class 65 of the United States Army Sergeants Major Course. Barrett has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (09-10) and Operation Enduring Freedom (11-12).
Barrett earned an associate degree in General Studies from Northern Virginia Community College and a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior.
Visit the U.S. Army Signal Regiment Facebook page for complete footage of the ceremony.
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