A small ceremony was held at Fort Stewart last Friday for the change of responsibility for the Command Sergeant Major of the Third Infantry Division.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Coffey relinquished responsibility to new incoming Command Sergeant Major Quentin V. Fenderson, who was not at the ceremony but is expected to assume responsibility the first week of September. During the ceremony Coffey relinquished responsibility by passing the flag to Third ID Commander, Major General Antonio Aguto.
Third ID Commander Major General Antonio Aguto said CSM Coffey, “Is not flashy. He is not loud. He is not boisterous…but when Command Sgt. Maj. Coffey talks everybody stops and listens.”
According to his military biography CSM Coffey enlisted in the United States Army in January 1994. His previous assignments include the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 25th Infantry Division, the 172nd Stryker Brigade, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 1st Cavalry Division, and the National Training Center. He is leaving Fort Stewart to take a new job at the United states Military Academy at West point in New York. Command Sgt. Maj. Coffey’s awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit (2nd award), Bronze Star Medal (3rd award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (6th award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Army Good Conduct Award (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (2 stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 5), NATO Medal (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon, Korean Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation (2nd award), and Valorous Unit Award. Coffey has also earned the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Ranger Tab. His foreign awards include: German, British, and Canadian Parachutist Badge. He is also a member of the Infantry Order of Saint Maurice, the Cavalry and Armor Order of Saint George, and the Field Artillery Order of Saint Barbara.
CSM Quentin V. Fenderson was previously stationed at Fort Stewart for 12 years. He was not at the ceremony but is expected to assume responsibility the first week of September.
Fenderson was born in Alabama, according to his biography provided by the Army. He is married and is a proud father of three children. He entered the military on March 16th, 1995 and completed Infantry OSUT training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion, CSM Fenderson was assigned to 566 MI BN (LRS) prior to transitioning over to 2nd BN, 7th Cav, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas, where he served as a Rifleman and BFV driver. He then served with 3rd BN, 12th IN which later reflagged to 1st BN, 6th IN, 1st Armored Division located in Baumholder, Germany. While assigned, he served as a Rifleman and Rifle Team leader and deployed in support of Operation Joint Endeavor and Macedonia in support of Operation Able Sentry. After his tour in Germany, CSM Fenderson was assigned to 1st BN, 30th IN Rgt, 3rd Infantry Division where he served as a Rifle Team leader, Bradley Gunner, Rifle Squad leader and Company Master Gunner and deployed to Egypt in support of Operation Bright Star. CSM Fenderson was then assigned to New York City Recruiting BN, Queens Company, Queens NY, where he served as a Detail Recruiter and a Station Commander. Soon after, CSM Fenderson returned to 1st BN, 30th IN where he served as the Battalion Master Gunner, a Platoon Sergeant and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and OIF III. Upon redeployment of OIF III, he was assigned to 1st BN, 15th IN, 3rd Infantry Division where he served as a Platoon Sergeant, deploying back to Iraq in support of OIF V and also served as the 3rd HBCT Master Gunner. Upon redeployment, he was reassigned to 2nd BN, 69th Armor Rgt, 3rd Infantry Division. While assigned he served as the First Sergeant for both Bravo company and HHC, deploying to Iraq again in support of OIF VII. Upon redeployment, CSM Fenderson was assigned to FORSCOM HQ as an assistant Inspector General where he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.