Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany has new sergeant major

MCLB-ALBANY — Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Conrad E. Potts, relinquished his post Friday morning, and a new sergeant major now is serving in his place.

Sgt. Maj. Kenneth V. Agee, who was appointed as his successor, officially took the post at a relief and appointment ceremony aboard the base. During the ceremony, the non-commissioned officer’s sword, which symbolizes the office of sergeant major, was passed from Potts to Agee.

Immediately following the relief and appointment ceremony, Potts retired from the U.S. Marine Corps with 32 years of service.

After giving honors to Potts and his wife, Col. Don Davis, commanding officer of the base, made a few remarks on the departing sergeant major — the highest ranked non-commissioned officer at the installation.

“As you know, we love this community and our community loves us,” the colonel said. “Potts is a part of (that team). There is a difference between talking and doing; he is a doer. His door is always open and he has a great family. Every person who walks through the sergeant major’s door is treated with the same love… He is a man of true humility. He comes in every day humbly to serve.”

Potts enlisted in the Marine Corps on Dec. 11, 1981, and attended recruit training at Parris Island, S.C., in May of 1982. He reported for duty as MCLB Albany’s sergeant major in October 2011. Having arrived in Albany in 2010, he was first the sergeant major of Marine Depot Maintenance Command for both Albany and Barstow, Calif. and Headquarters Group East/West.

Potts was selected for the rank of sergeant major in November 2005. Married to a Camilla native, Sendy Potts, he has three daughters, one stepdaughter and four grandchildren. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.

Before acknowledging his friends in the Corps and his family, and the many memories he has developed over the last three decades, Potts started off by recalling how he would word his farewell speech.

“For months, I thought about what I wanted to say when I got to this point, and all I know what to say is ‘I feel good,’” he said.

While talking with reporters following the ceremony, Potts said he was not sure what the job would entail when he came to Albany. Marines, he said, have had to adapt to changes over time. His retirement plans involve taking a vacation and then coming back to possibly get a civilian job at MCLB-Albany.

“It’s surreal,” he said. “It hasn’t really hit me yet. My wife says it won’t hit me until I don’t have to put the uniform on. “I have the uniform on today, but I’ll take it off and not wear it again after this stage.”

Agee comes to MCLB from 6th Marine Corps District, serving as Recruiting Station Jacksonville’s sergeant major, where he had been since February 2012. A native of Lakeland, Fla., he attended recruit training in June 1987. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with star in lieu of fourth award and the Navy Achievement Medal with star in lieu of third award and the Combat Action Ribbon.

“(My family and I) are glad to be members of MCLB,” Agee said. “I look forward to joining the team on the base and working with the command.”