Photo By Jovi Prevot | From left, Terrance Hughes, husband of newly promoted Master Sgt. Beverly Hughes,...... read more read more
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CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. — For 26 years, Sgt. 1st Class Beverly Hughes built a career centered on one mission: taking care of Soldiers.
Whether processing personnel actions, helping commanders maintain readiness or serving as a trusted resource for troops across the Mississippi Army National Guard, Hughes became known as someone who ensured others had what they needed to succeed. For Hughes, the greatest reward was never found in promotions or awards, but in watching fellow Soldiers achieve their own goals.
"A lot of people trusted me with helping them with their careers," said Hughes. "When I see what I do and you benefit from it, that's something for me. I don't do it just to be doing it. It makes me feel good if I can help you."
On June 26, family, friends and fellow Soldiers gathered at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center to celebrate her retirement and recognize more than two decades of dedicated service to the state and nation.
During the ceremony, Hughes received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, recognizing her exceptionally meritorious service and leadership throughout a 26-year career. Her husband, Terrance Hughes, was also recognized with the Mississippi Magnolia Lapel Pin, honoring the unwavering support military spouses provide throughout a Soldier's career.
In recognition of her distinguished service, Hughes was also promoted to the rank of master sergeant by the State of Mississippi, marking the culmination of a career dedicated to serving Soldiers and strengthening the Mississippi Army National Guard.
Hughes enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard on May 20, 2000, as an Administrative Specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 114th Area Support Group in Hattiesburg. Over the next 26 years, she served in a variety of human resources positions across Mississippi, including assignments with the 184th Sustainment Command, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, the 1108th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment and, finally, Headquarters, 154th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), where she served as the S-1 Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge until her retirement. Throughout her career, she proudly served as a 42A Human Resources Specialist.
Hughes answered the call to deploy twice in her career, serving in Kuwait in 2003 and again in 2017. During her second deployment, she also served as a Victim Advocate, a responsibility that reflected her commitment to caring for Soldiers beyond administrative duties and ensuring they had someone to turn to during difficult moments. Looking back on her career, Hughes said she remains humbled by the opportunity to serve.
"It honestly doesn't feel like I've done enough, but I did what I could in that time frame," said Hughes. "I hope everybody I had the opportunity to work with appreciated what I could do and gave me a little grace for what I wasn't able to do."
While continuing her military service, Hughes also earned an associate degree from Pearl River Community College before completing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Southern New Hampshire University. She continued developing professionally through the Master Leader Course, Battle Staff NCO Course and numerous human resources and leadership programs that prepared her to mentor the next generation of Soldiers.
Her impact extended well beyond the workplace.
One of Hughes' proudest accomplishments has been watching the next generation answer the call to serve. Her daughter, Alaysha, followed in her footsteps by joining the Mississippi Army National Guard and serving on the Active Guard Reserve staff, while her son, Anthony, serves in the United States Space Force. Her youngest daughter, Layken, is pursuing a nursing degree, continuing the family's tradition of service in her own way.
Hughes was equally quick to recognize the family members who made her own career possible. During the ceremony, she spoke emotionally about her sister, who stepped in whenever military service pulled Hughes away from home, attending birthdays, first days of school, concerts and countless family milestones.
"She stepped in and stood in when I couldn't be there," said Hughes. "I couldn't have done this without her." She also credited her mother for always being a source of encouragement and faith, and her husband, Terrance, for holding everything together at home throughout deployments, schools and long military obligations. During the ceremony, Terrance Hughes received the Mississippi Magnolia Lapel Pin, recognizing the sacrifices and steadfast support military spouses provide throughout a Soldier's career.
"One of the things I've always appreciated most about Sgt. 1st Class Hughes is her professionalism," said Lt. Col. Kevin Grace, commander, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment. "She's always been candid and a straight shooter. If she told me something needed to be fixed, it was because it needed to be fixed, and she did it with patience and respect. That's what made her such a trusted leader."
As Hughes accepted her retirement certificate and prepared to begin a new chapter, the ceremony recognized not only the milestones of a distinguished career, but also the countless lives she influenced along the way. Her legacy is measured not simply by the awards on her uniform, but by the Soldiers she mentored, the organizations she strengthened and the example she set for those who will follow.
Asked what advice she would offer young Soldiers, Hughes returned to the same principle that guided her throughout her career: invest in people.
"I've always believed that if you can help somebody succeed, you've done something worthwhile," said Hughes. "Take care of your Soldiers, and they'll never forget it."
When asked what she will miss most about military service, Hughes didn't mention deployments, promotions or ceremonies.
Instead, she thought about the people.
"I'm going to miss the people the most," said Hughes. "Those relationships and being able to help people every day. That's what I'll miss."
Although her military service has come to a close, Hughes said she looks forward to spending more time with her family, attending the moments military service often required her to miss and making regular trips to Colorado Springs to visit her son.
After 26 years in uniform, Hughes leaves behind generations of Soldiers she mentored, organizations she strengthened and a legacy rooted in servant leadership. Long after her final salute, her influence will continue to be felt across the Mississippi Army National Guard.
The 154th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Mississippi Army National Guard, provides professional military education and military occupational specialty training for Soldiers across Mississippi and the nation. Headquartered at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, the RTI develops adaptive, disciplined, and capable leaders through accredited courses that support Army readiness and mission success.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2026 09:09 |
| Story ID: | 569691 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Hometown: | HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Hometown: | LUMBERTON, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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