MILWAUKEE – The 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade welcomed its new senior enlisted leader during a Change of Responsibility ceremony August 12 at the Brigade’s headquarters in Milwaukee.

Command Sgt. Maj. Duane Weyer, the outgoing command sergeant major of the 157th, was commended for his achievements during his tenure at the Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

“We’re replacing one of the finest [noncommissioned officers] I’ve ever worked with, Duane Weyer, with another fine, outstanding [noncommissioned officer] in Eric David,” said Col. Eric Leckel, commander of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

Weyer passed the noncommissioned officer sword off Leckel, who passed the sword off to Command Sgt. Maj. Eric David, signifying the transfer of responsibility and authority from the outgoing to the incoming command sergeant major.

Weyer is preparing to embark on his fifth deployment where he will go to the Horn of Africa with the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade’s headquarters company.

“You never want to say goodbye, but in this case it’s kind of odd because I’m saying goodbye, but then most of you are going to go with me anyways,” Weyer said.

Weyer commended the Soldiers of the 157th, noting that the unit is the most diverse and has the most professionals in any unit he’s served with.

“Leaders aren’t successful in commands unless the Soldiers are with them,” Weyer said. “I want to thank each and every one of you for helping me be successful, because without Soldiers, we’re not leaders of anything.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric David of Wales, Wisconsin, began his military career in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1998 when he joined the 32nd Infantry Brigade. He was joined at the ceremony by his family and friends.

“It’s bittersweet because what comes with this is a greater amount of responsibility, a greater amount of time away from the family, and long days,” Leckel said to David’s wife and children. “I really, truly from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and on behalf of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, I want to thank you before we start this journey.”

David thanked Leckel for selecting him for this role and Weyer for setting him up for success.

“I’m still going to be reaching out to you for what right looks like as I have over the past ten years or so that we’ve been working together,” David said to Weyer. “Thank you for all of that.”

He then took a moment to address the Soldiers of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

“If you take one thing away from this whole thing, one thing I’m interested in is letting you know that I work for you,” David said.

“I work with the leadership, but I work for the Soldiers,” he continued. “Let me know how I can best do that. I look forward to getting to know all of you.”