BISMARCK, N.D. - An Iraq war veteran with more than 40 years of military experience relinquished his duties as the North Dakota National Guard's senior enlisted leader to Chief Master Sgt. James Gibson during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck today. Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Job retired and was honored for his military service as part of the ceremony.
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, presided over the change of responsibility ceremony.
"Command Sgt. Major Dan Job set a high bar in his tenure as our senior enlisted leader and adviser. I can't thank him enough for his positive impact on our people and commitment to excellence, the organization and all of our enlisted Guard members," he said. "As Chief Master Sgt. Gibson assumes the duties of senior enlisted leader, his experience and dedication to service will be vital to ensuring good communication and overall welfare among our enlisted soldiers and airmen."
The change of responsibility ceremony is an important military tradition which formally and visually demonstrates the transfer of duties, responsibilities and authority between incoming and outgoing senior enlisted members of the unit.
As the senior enlisted leader, Gibson will serve as the chief enlisted adviser to the adjutant general, responsible for morale, welfare, discipline, performance, training, awards, recruiting, retention, equal opportunity, promotions and assignments for the soldiers and airmen of the North Dakota National Guard.
"I'm honored to be your new senior enlisted leader," said Gibson. "I would like to wish Command Sgt Maj. Dan Job well in his retirement and thank him for his more than 40 years of service to the North Dakota National Guard. He was the first senior enlisted leader in the North Dakota National Guard and he blazed the trail for this position within the state. His dedication to the Guard was very evident during the transition time, and when I had the opportunity to work with him."
Gibson lives in West Fargo, N.D., and enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1980. He has served 32 years as a member of the 119th Security Forces Squadron and has participated in multiple operations and deployments.
In his full-time Guard job, he is the chief of information protection, and serves as the wing information protection program manager enforcing all operational and mission assurance aspects of the program.
During the ceremony, Job was awarded the federal and state Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service and selfless service.
A native of Linton, N.D., Job enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 before joining the N.D. Army National Guard in 1975. He's held key enlisted leadership positions with the 141st Engineer Battalion and the 164th Engineer Group.
From 2003 to 2004, he served as the command sergeant major for the 142nd Engineer Battalion during the unit deployment to Iraq. He has served as the senior enlisted leader for the North Dakota National Guard since 2004. Job's civilian job is with Basic Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck.
Job said, "In closing the final chapter of my 40 years of military service, I challenge our leaders to continue to work hard to support and meet the needs of those who are responsible for our success in our federal and state missions. Our soldiers, airmen, military families and employers all play an important part in ensuring that the North Dakota National Guard remains the best military organization in the world. I thank all of those responsible for our organization's success as well as those who have supported me and my efforts during my career."