SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Recruiting Battalion for the U.S. Army now has a new leader.
A change of responsibility ceremony was held Friday, as Command Sgt. Major Russell Paradis retires after 28 years in the Army.
He passed the sword to Command Sgt. Major Troy Baylis, who moved to the Syracuse area with his family last month.
Baylis most recently served at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in Texas.
While Baylis has never served as a recruiter before, he says he'll bring a fresh perspective to the battalion.
He says he hasn't heard if their recruiting mission will increase, but is prepared either way.
"I am confident that the Army has done the analysis and they will provide us the tools needed to recruit the best for our fighting force," said Baylis.
This battalion has 24 recruiting centers across Central and Western New York as well as northeastern Pennsylvania.