Photo By 2nd Lt. Jorge Intriago | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Darlene M. Goff, the director of joint staff for the South...... read more read more
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COLUMBIA, S.C. - Hundreds of fellow Guard members, retirees and friends gathered at the Bluff Road Armory April 30 to honor the service of Brig. Gen. Darlene Goff, the first female general officer to serve in the South Carolina Army National Guard and to celebrate with her on the day of her retirement.
Goff, whose last assignment was as the director of joint staff for the South Carolina National Guard, was recognized for her more than 37 years of exceptionally distinguished service. She was awarded the Legion of Merit and Retirement Medal by Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., the adjutant general for South Carolina.
“Her focus has always been on our Soldiers, Airmen and their families,” said Livingston. “In any organization, it is always about the people and developing them to achieve their best. That is what General Goff is about.”
Livingston spoke of Goff’s willingness to bring tough issues before him, with her purpose always to take better care of the Guard members. He shared it was her vision and thorough understanding of an operational force that will be her legacy.
Presenters stood before the crowd and paid tribute to Goff for her commitment to the South Carolina National Guard over the years, including Brig. Gen. Roy McCarty, the deputy adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Thad Myers, representing the South Carolina Air National Guard, South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy representatives and many others.
The common theme from those who honored Goff was that she was a visionary who embodied the spirit of caring for people in the organization first. In keeping with her tradition of giving back to others, Goff presented her own beretta 9 mm pistol to the South Carolina Military Museum for their display to commemorate her as the first female general in the South Carolina Army National Guard ranks.
“When I look out to the audience and see so many who have served before me and with me, I know our Guard members are in good hands,” said Goff. “When we hear of all that was accomplished, it is these people, the Soldiers, Airmen, NCOs, enlisted members and their families who made it happen.”
Goff spoke of the changes in the past 37 years since she joined, including the changes for women moving to combat roles, as well as the National Guard transitioning to an operational force.
Goff began her service in 1977 as an enlisted Soldier in the South Carolina Army National Guard, and received her commission as a 2nd Lt. in 1981 while serving as a Telecommunications Center Officer in the South Carolina National Guard’s 111th Signal Battalion. In 2010, she became the assistant adjutant general – Army and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. In 2012 she was appointed to her current position as the director of joint staff.
“The most profound day was after 9-11, when our military put themselves in harm’s way for the rest of the Unites States,” said Goff. “We are grateful for the 1 percent of the population who serve and the 18,000 of our Guard members who deployed. The missions are not stopping as we continue to send our Guard members overseas.”
Goff thanked the many people in attendance, and gave a special word of thanks to her spouse Eddie, who had retired as a Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard several years prior.
“Many years ago at one time I worked for Eddie,” said Goff.
“Now he works for me,” she said with a laugh. She shared that he played a large part in her success by supporting her and being her sounding board for decisions.
Livingston summarized the gratitude for all who came to join her for the ceremony, which ended in a standing ovation for Goff.
“General Goff’s incredible work will have long lasting impacts on the organization long after we are gone, “said Livingston. “The S.C. National Guard is far better for having had her serve.”
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2015 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 161988 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, First female SC Army National Guard general officer retires, by COL Cindi King, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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