Command Sgt. Maj. William C. Carver III, command sergeant major for Medical and Dental Activity Command at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, has worn an Army uniform for 30 years, but he soon will replace his uniform with a golf shirt, Bermuda shorts and golf shoes.

Following Friday morning’s relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at Marne Garden, Carver will transition out of the Army on terminal leave with a retirement date of June 1.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Carver, thank you for your service,” said Col. Ronald Place, MEDDAC and Winn Army Community Hospital commander, following the official ceremony in which a sword was handed off to Carver by the interim command sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Thomas Wrighton Jr., to Place then back to Wrighton. “You are a tremendously talented leader, particularly in the art of motivation. You have a left a legacy for the rest of us to follow.”

Place welcomed Wrighton to the command team where he’ll serve until the Department of the Army names a new command sergeant major. He concluded his remarks by asking Carver to continue to tell his story and the Army story.

Carver began his military career as a behavior science specialist at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., in 1982. He was assigned to Stewart-Hunter in May 2011. Previous assignments include Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Fort Benning. He also served a tour in Korea, two tours in Germany, a tour in Bosnia, a tour in Kosovo and three tours in Iraq.

Among a long list of awards and medals, Carver has three Bronze Star Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, as well as the Combat Medical Badge and Air Assault Badge. He also received the Order of Medical Military Merit.

Born in Fayetteville, N.C., Carver grew up in the Army then joined the Army. He has an associate’s degree in business management and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He is married to the former Zephronnia Alexander. They have two children, Jason and Janay.

“Y’all don’t sound as enthused as I am,” Carver said among cheers and applause as he began his own remarks. “I want to thank you, NCOs and soldiers.  You’re the best.”

He kept his remarks short, reminding those present that he needed to be brief because his soldiers were needed back at the hospital and clinics. He specifically thanked Place and Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, 3rd Infantry Division command sergeant major, for their support and advice. He also thanked his wife for supporting him through his long military career.

Following the ceremony, Carver said he doesn’t have any immediate plans for his next career. He plans to return to his home in Columbus, a city he and his wife fell in love with years ago. He said he wants to take some time off for himself and his family, and maybe get to play golf a lot more often.

“When you’re in the Army, it’s really a six-day-a-week job because you’re not really off all day most Saturdays,” he said. “And Sunday is a day you need to spend time with family. I look forward to being able to play golf on weekdays and maybe even improving my game.”

According to Winn public affairs officer Michelle Gordon, a new MEDDAC command sergeant major is expected to be named in April for Stewart-Hunter by the Department of the Army.