Yuma Proving Ground holds a change of responsibility ceremony
Yuma Proving Ground hosted a change of responsibility ceremony on Thursday for its incoming and outgoing command sergeants major at the garrison’s Heritage Center Main Administration Area.
With the passing of the organizational colors, Command Sgt. Maj. Jamathon K. Nelson assumed responsibility as the installation’s top non-commissioned officer, from Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser, whose next assignment is at the Mission Command Center of Excellence in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
“It is hard to explain what this day means to me. It just isn’t easy to put into words,” Sgt. Maj. Prosser said afterward. “But I leave here knowing that YPG is in good hands.”
YPG commander, Col. Ross Poppenberger, who presided over the ceremony, spoke of the many contributions Sgt. Maj. Prosser had made to the garrison, saying that he has exceeded every expectation placed upon him, and so much more.
“It is bittersweet having to say goodbye. Thank you for your leadership, your mentoring, teaching and the coaching you have done,” Col. Popperberger said. “But most of all, thank you for your friendship. These last 10 months have been fantastic for me. It has truly been a career highlight to have served with you.”
Col. Poppenber also credited Sgt. Maj. Prosser for changing the culture at YPG, by instilling a sense of pride in everyone.
“The morale is high here. There is something in the air,” Col. Poppenberger said. “You brought an esprit de corps that is felt here. You have left a legacy on all aspects of YPG.”
After hailing all of Sgt. Maj. Prosser’s accomplishments, Col Poppeberger then went about reassuring the civilian workforce and army personnel at YPG that they, and the garrison, were still in good hands.
“It is an honor to have you here,” Col Poppenberger said to Sgt. Major Nelson. “I know you are well prepared to continue the work Sgt. Major Prosser has started here.”
In his remarks Col. Poppenberger said that Sgt. Major Nelson has held all of the enlisted personnel leadership positions throughout his 28-year career, and had that he also served in units with large civilian populations.
“He has taken the hardest jobs before coming here, so I know he is wellprepared to come to YPG to do what needs to be done,” Col. Poppenberger said. “He is well-prepared to step in and move us forward as a team.”
Sgt, Major Nelson, who also served a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army, comes to YPG from the Asymmetric Warfare Group at Fort Meade, Maryland, adding that it vastly different from many of his previous assignments.
“I have a lot to learn. A lot goes on here. I’m going to be very busy,” Sgt. Major Nelson said. “I owe the people at YPG 100 percent of my effort and investment.”
He went on to say, “this will be a challenging assignment for me, my first non-operational assignment, but I think I’m the right guy. I have used most of the equipment tested here. That is where I excel.”
As for his goals, Sgt. Major Nelson said he hopes to be able to continue the camaraderie between the civilian workforce and that soldiers, which his predecessor began, however safety would be his main priority.
He added that he was not familiar with YPG prior to the appointment so another goal is to improve community outreach and getting the word out to others in the Army about the testing being done at the installation’s three test centers and why it is so important.