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    New Leadership for the Georgia Army National Guard

    Changing Command

    Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Brigadier General Tom Carden, Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard and Col. Randall Simmons stand...... read more read more

    MARIETTA, GA, UNITED STATES

    09.28.2017

    Story by Capt. William Carraway 

    Georgia National Guard

    Colonel Randall V. Simmons Jr. assumed command of the Georgia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden Jr. during a ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center September 28, 2017. Simmons is Georgia’s 15th Assistant Adjutant General-Army to serve since the position was created by the passage of the Georgia Military Forces Reorganization Act of 1955.

    “I have served with or around Simmons for more than two decades,” said Carden. “I am confident that he will lead the team to the next level.”

    Carden, commanded the Ga. ARNG from January 2015 until his selection to serve as deputy commanding general, Multi-National Division, Southeast, headquartered in Bucharest, Romania.

    “As I step into my new assignment, I feel confident that the Georgia Army National Guard is going to run even faster as a new leadership team steps up to the challenges of tomorrow,” said Carden.

    To symbolize the change of command, Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense, transferred the colors from Carden to Simmons.. Simmons then placed the colors in the guardianship of Command Sergeant Major Phillip Stringfield, Command Sergeant Major of the Ga. ARNG.

    Jarrard praised the leadership and character of Carden and Simmons in his remarks.

    “Team Simmons needs no introduction,” said Jarrard remarking on the long service of Simmons and his wife Yetive to the Ga. ARNG. “We look forward to (Simmons’) leadership and I am confident he will lead the Ga. ARNG to even greater accomplishments.

    Simmons is a 28-year veteran of the Georgia Army National Guard. Enlisting in 1989 as a private in the Statesboro-based 2nd Battalion 214th Field Artillery, Simmons subsequently earned his commission from the Georgia Military Institute’s Officer Candidate School. From 1992, to 2006, Simmons served in a variety of assignments with the Savannah-based 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, a unit whose history predates the American Revolution. Simmons deployed to Iraq in 2005 as the executive officer of the 1-118th. He commanded the Calhoun-based 1st Squadron 108th Cavalry Regiment in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 and commanded the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from 2013 to 2015, during which time he served as commander of Task Force Volunteer in Kabul, Afghanistan.

    With three combat deployments behind him, Simmons was clear on where his command emphasis would fall.

    “To our Soldiers and units represented here today, our focus is simple – combat readiness is our top priority,” said Simmons addressing the assembled Soldiers Airmen and honored guests. “We are a nation at war. It’s our job to be ready and to win when called to action. “Everything we do will support building & maintaining combat readiness.”

    Simmons served as the chief of staff for the Ga. ARNG since 2015. Colonel Dwayne Wilson, former commander of the Marietta-based 78th Aviation Troop Command is the incoming chief of staff. Carden praised Wilson during his comments.

    “As Col. Dwayne Wilson steps up to serve as the chief of staff, Simmons will have a steady teammate to help guide the organization,” noted Carden.

    In recognition of his nearly 32 years of service to the Ga. ARNG, Carden received the Distinctive Service Medal, the highest individual medal awarded by the Georgia Department Defense. His wife, Charlene, was presented with the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of her long support of the Georgia Guard. The Cardens also received mementos and well wishes from representatives of the Ga. ARNG’s command and staff sections.

    In his farewell remarks, Carden expressed appreciation to his family, Maj. Gen. Jarrard, and the Soldiers of the Ga. ARNG with whom he had served for more than three decades.

    “Thank you all so much for your patience and investment,” said Carden. “I will miss this organization and its great people. I wish you all the best… I step away knowing that I did my best and that the best for this organization is yet to come.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.28.2017
    Date Posted: 09.28.2017 16:54
    Story ID: 249958
    Location: MARIETTA, GA, US
    Hometown: ATLANTA, GA, US
    Hometown: CALHOUN, GA, US
    Hometown: CANTON, GA, US
    Hometown: SAVANNAH, GA, US
    Hometown: STATESBORO, GA, US

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