Col. Jeff Edge Retires from the Ga. Army National Guard after 33 Years of Service

Photo By Maj. William Carraway | A composite image of Jeff Edge. On the left as a 2nd Lt. and graduate of the Georgia Military Institute Class 25 August 15, 1986. On the right Colonel Edge on the day of his retirement October 1, 2016.  

MARIETTA, GA, UNITED STATES

10.01.2016

Story by Capt. William Carraway 

Georgia National Guard

Family, friends and Soldiers of the Georgia National Guard gathered Saturday for a retirement ceremony honoring the career and accomplishments of Col. Jeffrey Edge. Brigadier General Tom Carden, commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard presided over the ceremony.

“I have benefited from Col. Edge’s engaged leadership since the beginning of my career,” said Carden who also praised the service and the contributions of Edge’s wife, Dr. Rebecca Edge, son James and parents Ron and Francis.

“We know that he did not get here by himself,” said Carden. “There were many Soldiers who held him up over the years, but none to the extent that his family has held him up. Your contributions to what is happening here today do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.”

Colonel Edge’s retirement follows 33 years of service in the Georgia Army National Guard. He enlisted as a combat medic in the 148th Support Battalion in September, 1983, and in 1986, graduated from the Georgia Military Institute’s Officer Candidate School Class XXV.

Assuming platoon leadership in the 148th Support Battalion, 2nd Lt. Edge began a career that would see him command at every level from company to group.

Brigadier General Carden listed the assignments of Col. Edge, notably his command of the 148th Support Battalion, which saw him mobilize in response to Hurricane Frances in 2004 and deploy to Iraq from 2005 to 2006. Colonel Edge was also the final commander of the historic 265th Regional Support Group, the only unit in Georgia Guard history to receive a Navy Presidential Unit Citation for service during Desert Storm.

“I want to thank you for your example of leadership,” said Carden. “I know that your leadership has saved lives in the past and your legacy will be the lives saved in the future through your influence. Well done sir.”

Following his opening comments, Brig. Gen. Carden presented Col. Edge with the Legion of Merit. Dr. Rebecca Edge was also awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal for her unwavering support to the Georgia National Guard.

After the reading of the retirement order, Col. Edge reflected over his 33-year career. He recalled dozens of Guardsmen who had influenced him over the years and acknowledged the contributions of those with whom he served.

“It is all about the people,” noted Edge. “I haven’t done anything to receive an award. It is the people I worked with who have gotten me where I am.”

Edge also acknowledged the sacrifice his family made over his military career noting that as newlyweds, he and Rebecca only had time for a three-day honeymoon before he was called to deploy to Iraq with the 148th Support Battalion in 2005. He recalled how his son James never complained when he was not able to be present for school events due to military commitments. He also acknowledged how the Georgia Guard has been a family for him and others.

“The thing that I take away that is more important that the war stories are the relationships I have built. That is what has meant the most to me over my career,” said Edge. “The Guard is a family. You can count on your brothers and sisters in arms to be there and celebrate with you at the birth of a child or to lift you up in dark times. That is the biggest thing I will take away with me.”

• Date Taken: 10.01.2016
• Date Posted: 10.01.2016 22:37
• Story ID: 211107
• Location: MARIETTA, GA, US