Fort Hood command sergeant major suspended over ‘unprofessional language’

Fort Hood... Wtf?
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur C. Burgoyne, the senior enlisted member of 82nd Airborne Division, points out a deficiency in a flag display before “The Soldiers Medal Award Ceremony” on Fort Bragg, Oct. 09, 2019

The command sergeant major of III Corps and Fort Hood has been temporarily suspended pending an investigation into allegations that he used “unprofessional language,” the installation announced on Friday.

In a press release on Friday night, Ford Hood announced that Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur “Cliff” Burgoyne was being suspended by Fort Hood commander Lt. Gen. Pat White “based on recent allegations that he used unprofessional language inconsistent with Army values.”

An investigation into the allegations is being conducted by U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).

An Army official told Task & Purpose that the language used by Burgoyne was not related to race, gender, sexual orientation, or sexual harassment. What Burgoyne said falls into the category of toxic leadership, the official said.

The new investigation by FORSCOM is “not associated with any prior or ongoing investigations related to III Corps units,” the press release said.

The news comes on the heels of a bombshell report regarding the culture and command climate at Fort Hood. The Dec. 8 report laid bare widespread failings within the chain of command at the Texas installation to prioritize the welfare of soldiers.

Feature image: U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur C. Burgoyne, the senior enlisted member of 82nd Airborne Division, points out a deficiency in a flag display before “The Soldiers Medal Award Ceremony” on Fort Bragg, Oct. 09, 2019. (U.S. Army)

 

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Haley Britzky

Former Army Reporter

Haley Britzky was the Task & Purpose Army reporter from 2019 to 2022. She previously worked at Axios covering breaking news. She reports on important developments within the service, from new uniforms to new policies; the realities of military life facing soldiers and their families; and broader cultural issues that expand outside of the Army, touching each of the military services.Â