Photo by Bernard S. Little North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center commanding general Maj. Gen. Carla G. Hawley-Bowland gives Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Diggs a sword indicating his assumption of responsibility as command sergeant major of the NARMC during a ceremony Wednesday in Heaton Pavilion’s Joel Auditorium.

Maj. Gen. Carla G. Hawley-Bowland, commanding general of the NARMC and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, ìcharged [Diggs] with the utmost leadership and mentorship for all NCOs in the command, imposing sound advice and showing care and compassion for all Soldiers and their Families.

ìAs the top NCO in the command, you must bear the mantle of perpetuating the customs, traditions and rich history of the Army and NARMC.î

In Army tradition, Hawley-Bowland then passed the U.S. Army NCO sword to Diggs, signifying his responsibility for the unitís Soldiers.

In the days of the slow-to-load muskets, the NCO swords were the practical last lines of defense against enemies closing in on Soldiers. NCOs were charged with protecting the commander and the unitís colors in combat.

ìI am so thrilled to have Command Sgt. Maj. Diggs at my side once again,î Hawley-Bowland said. ìWe became battle buddies in the European Regional Medical Command when I selected him as my command sergeant major. Iíd never seen him before, but we clicked on the phone. He was the one Soldier whose video teleconference failed that day,î she joked.

ìBut James Diggs proved his mettle and supported me 100 percent in the European Regional Medical Command,î the general said. ìI then went to the Pacific, but he remained my confidant and battle buddy despite our separation. When the opportunity came to be here and pick a new [CSM], I called him up and asked him if he was willing take another ride with this old lady. He jumped at the chance and was here in less than a month.î

Hawley-Bowland said Diggs is a ìgreat Soldier. You will find him strong yet compassionate, and he always does the right thing.î

Diggs said heís honored to assume his new responsibilities.

ìMany times when weíre in positions of responsibility, hands are tied. But I can assure you, Maj. Gen. Hawley-Bowland is a different type of leader,î Diggs said. ìShe believes in giving individuals the reins to do their jobs, but just do the right thing. Thatís not just part of the time [nor] sporadically, but all the time. So I relish this opportunity to be the senior enlisted advisor for the NARMC.î

Diggs called himself a ìstrong person of tradition and Family. The strongest unit is the Family. You can never forget that. Iím a Soldierís Soldier. I will never ask you to do something that I havenít done or that I am not willing to do.

ìI will never leave a Fallen Comrade,î Diggs continued. ìThis is a great organization and youíre a part of that organization. By stepping up and wearing our nationís [uniform], [you] send a message about your commitment.î

He also commended the efforts of civilians, contractors and volunteers for what they do here. ìThank you for also lending a helping hand to our Military Health System. Itís very, very important.î

Diggs said the tradition of the Army NCO sword is one of ìtaking the fight to the enemy. I promise you from this day forward, I will take it to the enemy. The enemy is not you. The enemy is outside the wire. I will make sure I uphold those responsibilities and cherish this opportunity to be a part of your team. Weíre all on the same team.î