FORT HOOD, Texas – III Armored Corps will host a change of responsibility ceremony at 9 a.m. Aug. 6 at the III Armored Corps Headquarters flagpole.

Command Sgt. Maj. John P. McDwyer will relinquish his responsibilities as III Armored Corps command sergeant major to Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light.

Command Sgt. Maj. Light most recently served as command sergeant major for 1st Armored Division and before that the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, 1st Squadron 7th Cavalry, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Hood, so he is no stranger to Fort Hood or the III Armored Corps.

Concluding 39 years of military service, McDwyer has served as the III Armored Corps command sergeant major since June 2023.

Widely known as the Army’s “oldest tanker,” McDwyer’s time at the III Armored Corps marked his fifth tour to the Great Place. He is a highly experienced combat veteran whose previous assignments included serving as senior enlisted leader for First Army Division West, Sergeant Major of the Combined Arms Center-Training (CAC-T), Commandant of the NCO Academy in Hawaii, and as Brigade Sergeant Major OC/T at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California.

Media wishing to cover the event must RSVP to Fort Hood Media Relations at 254-449-5298 no later than 3 p.m. Aug. 5.

Media covering the event should arrive by 8:15 a.m. Aug. 6 at the south side parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitor Center for an escort by a public affairs representative.