During an assumption of responsibility ceremony May 16 in Fort Campbell, Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Petty took on duties as U.S. Army Medical Department Activity in Fort Campbell and Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Command Sergeant Major.
Sgt. Maj. Johnny Thompson formerly served as BACH’s Troop Sergeant Major, but stepped in as the senior enlisted leader since December 2022, until Petty’s arrival.
Col. Vincent Myers, hospital commander, noted that: “As [they] walked through the emergency room, same-day surgery, and other areas of the hospital together early [May 16], [Petty’s] actions and engagement showed” he was ready.
The Fort Campbell MEDDAC includes Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit, and medical missions on Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois and Fort McCoy Wisconsin.
Petty said that Army Doctrine defines the Army profession and comprises of two mutually supportive communities of practice: The Profession of Arms, and the Army Civilian Corps. As such, this organization is made up of approximately 85% of a civilian workforce, and he looks forward to working with the team.
A native of Merritt Island, Florida, Petty enlisted in the United States Army in 1997. His stateside assignments include Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Fort Bliss, Texas. His overseas assignments include Pusan, Korea; Wurzburg, Germany; and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Sembach, Germany.
CSM Petty’s deployments include Bagram, Afghanistan and Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Petty has a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the Command and General Staff College; a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College; and an Associate of Arts Degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix.
