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By Brandy Cruz
Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – III Corps and Fort Hood bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Hendrex, while also welcoming the newest edition to the Phantom Warrior team, Command Sgt. Maj. Cliff Burgoyne, during a change of responsibility ceremony inside the East Atrium of III Corps Headquarters Wednesday.

Hendrex was hand-selected in March to join Gen. Paul E. Funk II, to serve as the command sergeant major of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. Hendrex, who has been at Fort Hood for 18 months, said he is humbled by the opportunity and looks forward to serving alongside Funk again.

“I wasn’t expecting it because I was expecting three years here. I think what’s interesting about getting the opportunity to serve in TRADOC is that the vast majority of my career has been in the operational force,” Hendrex revealed. “So all those lessons learned – subordinate commanders, units, sergeants major and Soldiers – to be able to take those experiences and integrate them into training and doctrine for long-term success, it’s a humbling opportunity to be able to do that. You truly have impact on the Army much longer than I’ll continue to stay in.”

The 30-year veteran, who has multiple deployments under his belt, last deployed to the Middle East in September with III Corps to lead Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, a coalition of nations partnering together to defeat the terrorist organizations known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. According to U.S. Central Command, the operation name reflects the unwavering resolve and commitment of the U.S. and partner nations from around the world.

Returning back to the Great Place early for his change of responsibility, Hendrex said the mission overseas was complicated by all the turbulence in the Middle East, but it was interesting to see III Corps become the central command for the joint force, which is comprised of every branch of the U.S. military alongside more than 80 coalition forces from NATO.

“I was just in awe of Lt. Gen. (Pat) White’s leadership to steady that ship, maintain calmer heads,” Hendrex said about the III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general as he commanded CJTF – OIR.

Transferring his duties to his predecessor, Hendrex passed the noncommissioned officer saber to Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, III Corps and Fort Hood deputy commander, who in turn, passed the saber to Burgoyne, symbolizing his willingness to accept the role of command sergeant major of III Corps and Fort Hood.

“We look forward to serving the Soldiers and troopers of the III Corps and Fort Hood,” Burgoyne said.

The Louisiana native said he joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1986 before entering active duty in 1992.

III Corps’ newest senior enlisted advisor comes to Fort Hood from the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

“Twenty-eight years ago, I loaded everything I had into the back of a Ford Ranger pickup truck and drove to Fort Hood, Texas, where I started my Army career,” Burgoyne said, revealing he has come full circle since he entered active duty.