More than 500 noncommissioned officers from across the 21st Theater Sustainment Command and U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz participated in a commemorative group run honoring the U.S. Army’s 240th birthday on Rhine Ordnance Barracks June 12.
Leading the front of the formation was Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Rhoades, the 21st TSC’s senior enlisted leader.
The three-mile run gave NCOs the opportunity “to celebrate the great things that we have done for the nation and the world,” said Rhoades.
Throughout the run the leaders chanted cadences designed to pump up the Soldiers and help build esprit de corps as they ran down the back roads of ROB.
Just past the half-way point of the run, a fire truck sprayed a continuous barrage of water across the road, allowing the NCOs to cool down a bit from running in the early morning June weather.
Following the run, Rhoades got in front of the formation and thanked the NCOs for choosing to be a part of the Army and for everything they do for their nation.
“It’s been a privilege and an honor to be out here with you all,” he told the formation.
Before releasing the group, Rhoades, along with the youngest member of the formation, Sgt. Brittney Taylor, a behavioral health specialist with the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and the oldest member of the formation, Sgt. Maj. Danilo Diaz, the 30th Medical Brigade S4 sergeant major and a native of Roxas City, Philippines, used an Army saber to cut the Army birthday cake, providing the formation of NCOs a sweet treat before reporting to their place of duty.
“It was great to have all of the NCOs here to celebrate the Army’s birthday,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Collins, the 21st TSC’s G2 Fusion NCOIC and native of Watertown, Tennessee. “It’s something big to do to build esprit de corps, build the team and come together to do something really nice.”
Sharing a birthday close to the Army’s is the 21st TSC, which turns 50-years-old on June 23.
The 21st TSC was first established 1965 with the activation of the 1st Support Brigade which provided a variety of support services within the European theater. The 21st TSC has held many names throughout its 50 years, from the 21st Support Command, 21st Theater Army Area Command, to the 21st Theater Support Command before being renamed the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in 2007.
For more information on the 21st TSC and its history, visit www.eur.army.mil/21tsc.