Fort Carson Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader with Distinguished Military Background

Strategic Insights -

Command Sgt. Maj. Waylon D. Petty, with a background in leading mechanized units and training soldiers on Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, has taken the reins as the new senior enlisted leader at Fort Carson. Petty's experience as command sergeant major at the U.S. Army Armor School and brigade command sergeant major at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., have prepared him well for this new role. Maj. Gen. David Doyle praised Petty's operational experience and institutional knowledge, stating that he will be an outstanding fit for the Ivy Division.

Key Takeaways:

  • Command Sgt. Maj. Waylon D. Petty brings extensive experience in leading mechanized units and training soldiers on Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles to his new role as senior enlisted leader at Fort Carson.
  • Petty previously served as command sergeant major at the U.S. Army Armor School and brigade command sergeant major at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.
  • Maj. Gen. David Doyle praised Petty's operational experience and institutional knowledge, saying he will be an outstanding fit for the Ivy Division.
  • Fort Carson is home to two Stryker brigades and an armored brigade, equipped with Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
  • The 2nd Stryker Brigade is deployed to the border with Mexico, and the 1st Stryker Brigade arrived in South Korea in recent weeks.
  • Petty replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Alexander Kupratty, who left the division in early May.

Statistics:

  • Fort Carson has two Stryker brigades and an armored brigade, totaling approximately 10,000 soldiers.
  • The 2nd Stryker Brigade is deployed to the border with Mexico, with approximately 3,000 soldiers.
  • The 1st Stryker Brigade arrived in South Korea in recent weeks, with an estimated additional 3,000 soldiers.
  • Fort Carson welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Waylon D. Petty as its new senior enlisted leader, replacing Command Sgt. Maj. Alexander Kupratty.

Sources:

  • "Fort Carson welcomes new senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Waylon D. Petty" article by Mary Shinn, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 2025.
  • "Fort Carson remembers those lost in the Global War on Terror ahead of Memorial Day events" article by Mary Shinn, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 2025.
  • Official Fort Carson Army news release.