Fort Knox, KY –
The U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade welcomed a new senior enlisted leader during a change of responsibility ceremony here last month.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. Schwab relinquished his position as command sergeant major of the Medical Recruiting Brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse J. Castellano, Jr.
Schwab retired from the Army after serving as the brigade's command sergeant major for the last two years.
"(Schwab) taught me about recruiting and leadership," said Col. Heather Kness, Medical Recruiting Brigade commander. "He fought for the resources recruiters need ... I admire you as a friend and a recruiter."
As a command team, Kness and Schwab forged a strong bond during their extensive travels, visiting the different medical recruiting stations spread throughout the U.S. and a station in Germany. Kness lauded Schwab by saying she had the best CSM in the world.
Once Schwab took the podium, he said the last two years have been a privilege.
"MRB was pretty much my first choice," Schwab said. "I wanted to do something outside my comfort zone. I had 18 years as a (non-prior service) recruiter. This has been amazing. There are a lot of great people on the staff."
Schwab thanked the people who helped him during his time with the MRB and noted that he didn't have time to mention everyone who helped him succeed.
"One of the things I looked at when I came to brigade is [healthcare] recruiting," Schwab explained. "But, recruiting is recruiting is recruiting, no matter what you are recruiting for."
He said the decision to retire was difficult, but felt it was time to put his wife first and decided to move on to civilian life. Schwab encouraged his successor by telling Castellano he was going to love working with Kness in support of the brigade.
Castellano, who moved here from the 5th Medical Recruiting Battalion in San Antonio, thanked those who attended the ceremony, and said he is looking forward to serving as the brigade command sergeant major. He ended his brief remarks with a quote from John C. Maxwell, "Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others."