Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel P. Yudin, incoming senior enlisted advisor of the...... read more read more
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SEASIDE, Calif. — It wasn’t easy, yet U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Steven J. Rodriguez’s military resume spans six decades of service to the active Army and California Army National Guard.
The veteran senior enlisted advisor, a Cal Guardsman for 23 years, wrapped up his extensive service during a Change of Responsibility ceremony that also marked Rodriguez’s retirement. The ceremony took place Sept. 26, 2020 at the 340th Brigade Support Battalion headquarters in Seaside, California. During an emotional ceremony, Rodriguez highlighted a career that started in 1979, and — including a 12-year break in service — concluded as the 340th’s top noncommissioned officer, a position he successfully manned for three years.
“I have witnessed Soldiers become leaders, junior officers and noncommissioned officers become senior leaders, and the battalion as a whole become one of the best, if not the best battalion in the California National Guard,” Rodriguez uttered, pausing to wipe tears from his eyes. “Leaders come and go. Some leave with a desired lasting impression, others leave with a toxic unwanted impression. I am hoping that I have left with the desired impression.”
Rodriguez reached his mandatory removal date but will still support the Cal Guard as the state Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention (SHARP) victim advocate coordinator. In his 29-year career, the seasoned veteran served “four years in Germany during the Cold War” and also completed three combat deployments. He served the Cal Guard on the Southwest border mission, the Homeland Response Force and multiple state activations for wildfires. This year has been dramatic, as Rodriguez has been involved with COVID-19 support, state riots and yet another wildfire season.
“My proudest moment was returning to the military after a 12-year break in service,” Rodriguez said. “My proudest accomplishment was being promoted to command sergeant major. What’s kept me in the military for so long? The camaraderie.”
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel P. Yudin succeeds Rodriguez. Yudin transfers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion.
“I want the 340th to continue on the excellent path it’s been on,” Yudin said. “My priority has always been to take care of the people and command, and to advise the command how to take care of missions. We have great Soldiers. They’ll do amazing things.”
“It’s going to be good and bad for him,” said Rodriguez’s wife, Maria, on her husband's new destiny. “It’s just the change. He’s not going to have that weekly or monthly commitment to service. But it’s really good for him because he’s worked 29 years. That’s a long time, lots of deployments.”
“We’re losing a great sergeant major,” added Lt. Col. Karstan L. Jack, 340th commander. “Devout focus on the welfare of the Soldiers. That’s really it: Devout focus on the welfare of the Soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2020 19:24 |
| Story ID: | 378768 |
| Location: | SEASIDE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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