DVIDS – News – U.S. SOCOM hosts change of duty and retirement ceremony for its high enlisted chief

By USSOCOM Public Affairs

MacDill Air Drive Base, Florida. – U.S. Particular Operations Command held a mixed change of duty and retirement ceremony contained in the headquarters’ Wargame Middle, Aug. 3, 2022. Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Shorter assumed duty of USSOCOM from Command Chief Grasp Sgt. Gregory Smith, who held the place for greater than three years.

Gen. Richard Clarke, commander of USSOCOM, was the host of the ceremonies. Throughout his speech, Clarke spoke about Smith’s profession spanning greater than 32 years of service, with 26 of these years being within the particular operations.

“I do know for me personally, I completely employed the precise man into this command, as a result of he made a distinction,” mentioned Clarke about deciding on Smith as his command senior enlisted chief. “He’s sensible, anybody who is aware of Greg, is aware of he’s sensible. He actually is the savant of SOCOM. He can let you know, ‘Again in 2010 once I was on the commander’s convention we did this’ and for this reason this determination was made.”

Clarke thanked Smith for his management, sage recommendation and counseled him for his distinctive strategic mind and data. He then defined Smith’s true worth to the command was his because of his concentrate on, what he termed ‘the three P’s,’ – partnership, folks and professionalism.

“The opposite ‘P’ that I simply need to hit with Greg is folks. Gregg, values our folks,” mentioned Clarke. “Greg and I’ve had the chance to go to Walter Reed many occasions to go to our wounded service members during the last three years and Greg values our folks. He noticed how vital the ties, the households, the issues that wanted to be accomplished, as a result of he really cares deeply about our folks. And I obtained to witness that on daily basis, not simply in his private interactions with the folks but additionally with the methods that he tried to arrange inside this headquarters.”

Smith, who served because the USSOCOM command senior enlisted chief since July 2019 accepted his retirement award, orders and certificates previous to passing the USSOCOM Colours to Shorter. Throughout his feedback Smith thanked the various senior leaders who attended representing the U.S. joint power and the worldwide SOF companions and allies.

“To the employees, the crew, and the SOCOM enterprise, it has been an unbelievable honor to be just right for you,” mentioned Smith. “To the women and men of USSOCOM, thanks. Thanks for permitting me to be a member of your crew. I like you all, God bless this command and the US of America.”

Clarke expressed his confidence in Shorter to take the reins of duty from Smith because of his earlier expertise and assignments largely centered within the Indo-Pacific theater.

“The good information about this group is that we now have superb draft decisions and when one individual leaves there are such a lot of others that may are available and take their place,” mentioned Clarke. “Shane with a simply phenomenal profession, a lot of it spent at our 1st (Special Forces) Group and out in Okinawa. Given the place this command is and the place the Nationwide Protection Technique is (centered). Shane Shorter is the precise man to come back in right here at this cut-off date.”

Shorter thanked Clarke for his confidence in him and thanked Smith for the thorough transition previous to changing him because the CSEL for USSOCOM.

“I wish to take a second to personally thank Gregg for his lengthy service to the nation and his service and dedication to the SOF enterprise.” mentioned Shorter. “I’ll end with my final thanks, because of all of you, each single person who makes up the SOF enterprise. For my part, one of the best group on the planet. With out every of you this group wouldn’t be as sturdy. I’m honored to serve with you, I’m humbled for the chance in entrance of me and proud to be certainly one of your teammates.”

Shorter, involves the place after serving because the Commandant of the Joint Particular Operations College. He beforehand served as command senior enlisted chief for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Camp Smith Hawaii and has served as a Special Forces NCO for 30 years.