Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Sergeant Major David L. Maddux relieved Sgt. Maj. Peter A. Siaw as Education Command/Marine Corps University command sergeant major at a relief and appointment ceremony on Jan. 4.

During the ceremony, the sword representing the leadership of the command sergeant major changed hands, symbolizing continuity and the strength of the noncommissioned officer.

“I cannot tell you what you’ve done for Marine Corps University,” Brig. Gen. Helen Pratt, commanding general of MCU, said to Siaw during her remarks. “You’re a phenomenal Marine.”

Siaw has been sergeant major of EDCOM/MCU since March 2014. He enlisted in 1993 and has been consistently recognized for his honor, courage and commitment to the Marine Corps ever since. He served as a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and was selected as the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Drill Instructor of the Year in 2000. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Operation Al Fajr/Fantom Fury and Operation Enduring Freedom VI/VII. He was promoted to sergeant major in November of 2006. Later this month, he will report for duty as sergeant major of Marine Corps Installations Command — Pacific.

“What a learning experience this has been for me,” Siaw said at the ceremony. “I’ve been able to see why our Marine officers are the very best and so very good at what they do.”

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to see the passion everyone at MCU has for our students,” Siaw continued.

He thanked his family and the many colleagues and mentors, including several previous EDCOM/MCU sergeants major, who travelled to be at the ceremony. He had special thanks for Pratt.

“Ma’am, it’s been a pleasure working with you,” he said. “Before every major decision you make, you’ve always asked me how it might affect lance corporal so-and-so. Thank you for caring that much.”

Siaw then introduced Maddux to the audience as the new MCU sergeant major, saying that doing so was the best part of his job.

“I can tell you that MCU is stronger now than it was 20 minutes ago,” he said.

Maddux completed recruit training in 1990. He worked as a radio operator with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan and participated in deployment exercises across the Pacific. He then served as platoon sergeant and company gunnery sergeant at Camp Pendleton, California, and Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II and Operation Enduring Freedom. In January 2014, he became director of the Senior Enlisted Academy and sergeant major of Enlisted Professional Military Education at MCU.

“I promise not to spend too much time in your office, ma’am,” Maddux joked to Pratt.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the officers’ side of education a little bit more,” he continued. “We’re actually going to have fun here! I’m going to look forward to coming to work every day.”

— Writer: auphausconner@quanticosentryonline.com