FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico - During a change of responsibility ceremony, the 166th Regional Support Group bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Rene A. Berlingieri and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Jose E. Nieves as the RSGs senior enlisted advisor, January 31, at Maxie Williams Field, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

They symbol of this highly revered position, and key to the ceremony, is the passing of the Noncommissioned Officer sword which perpetually remains in the care and control of the command sergeant major holding the most senior enlisted position of the 166th RSG.

Before a crowd of leadership, Soldiers, family and friends, Berlingieri relinquished responsibility and authority of the 166th RSG to Nieves with the passing of the sword. 

Col. Mike Caraballo, commander of the 166th RSG, praised Berlingieri and his work ethic during his remarks.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Berlingieri has always demonstrated his commitment and dedication to our Nation and Soldiers," said Caraballo. "He always exemplifies the values and leadership skills as a Soldier and senior NCO of the brigade.”

Berlingieri enlisted in the Army after graduating high school in 1988. During his career, Berlingieri has served in every leadership position from squad leader to command sergeant major. In his role as the 166th RSG command sergeant major, Berlingieri was the top enlisted Soldier for the 166th RSG and worked as an advocate for other enlisted Soldiers.

"When I first became command sergeant major, I was the youngest command sergeant major to serve in the 166th and was asked if I was nervous," said Berlingieri in his heartfelt comments. "I wasn’t nervous, I was excited to jump in and start creating new programs to the support the NCO Corps with my commander."

Berlingieri, who arrived at the 166th RSG in June 2011 from his previous position as the Command Sgt. Maj. of the 210th RSG, will be retiring from the Army in the coming months.

During his time at the 166th, Berlingieri helped develop programs to aide NCOs with promotions and career progression. “Being the CSM of this great organization has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader, a friend, a brother, a son, a father and a human being but most importantly, it has helped me grow as a Soldier,” said Berlingieri.

In his first address as the 166th RSG's senior enlisted advisor, Nieves thanked Berlingieri and expressed his gratitude for all the accomplishments he has made through the years.

                                                                                                       
"After 5 years under the 177th Armor Division, I am coming back home to the 1st Mission Support Command," said Nieves. "Last year I was invited to a 1st MSC command brief and I remember Brig. Gen. Burgos emphasizing the importance of readiness. I would like to build on that, to guarantee readiness, we have to develop and enforce good NCOs and I am committed to working hard with my two battalion command sergeant majors to guarantee this readiness.”

Nieves is a native to Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and comes to the 166TH RSG from the 2/348th CS/CSSB at Fort Buchanan, PR.