NEW CUMBERLAND, Pennsylvania –
The April 5 Change of Responsibility ceremony between Army 1st Sgt. Janine Burr and Marine Master Sgt. Bryan Alberts was historic for two reasons: the DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, community was bidding farewell to the organization’s first female senior enlisted advisor as it welcomed its first Marine to serve the position.
Officiated by the distribution center’s commander, Army Col. Brad Eungard, the ceremony honored the Burr’s achievements during her one-year tenure. After being honored with the Defense Meritorious Service award as well as a gift presented on behalf of the workforce, Burr choked up as she announced to attendees that serving as a first sergeant is “the best job in the United States Army.”
Eungard spoke to the legacy that Burr was leaving behind saying, “Although I wasn’t able to make this ceremony happen in March, as it honors Women’s History Month, 1st Sgt. Burr will forever have her name etched in history as the first female first sergeant at DLA Distribution Susquehanna.”
“She’s a perfect example of our organization’s CORE beliefs,” he continued. “CORE represents: Character, Ownership, Respect, and Excellence, and she possesses all of these qualities.”
Burr departs the organization to attend the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in Ft. Bliss, Texas. After completing the 9-month long program, she will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.
Alberts, the organization’s first Marine senior enlisted advisor, has been serving the organization since June 2016 as Joint Support Operations Senior Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Alberts enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1996 and underwent recruit training at 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, India Company, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, completing Supply School in August of that same year. He has served in various supply roles and deployed multiple times in support of the II Marine Expeditionary Force G-4.
Addressing the audience, Alberts said, “I look forward to continuing to work with the DLA team. You don’t know how important what you do is to the Warfighter in the field. I know. I’ve received your items.”
He closed his remarks with the quip, “And whatever you think about the Marine Corps- don’t worry, it’s going to be alright.”