In war there is always death and in life there is always change. As for the 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) that change came by the way of one man’s retirement from the Army after 34 years of service.

Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph B. Rhodes said his thanks and goodbyes during the change of responsibility and retirement ceremony held at the Air and Space Museum hangar on Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 1.

Rhodes assumed the duties of command sergeant major of the 100th MDB(GMD) Oct. 1, 2006. His previous assignments included command sergeant major of the 1st Battalion, 157th Field Artillery based in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the 169th Field Artillery Brigade located at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo.

Rhodes is a native of Durango, Colo., is married and has six children. He enlisted in the Colorado Army National Guard in 1976 as a fire direction specialist. He completed his baccalaureate program with Roger Williams University in August 2007.

Rhodes has held many key leadership positions including fire direction chief, gunnery sergeant, chief of firing battery, first sergeant and battalion command sergeant major.

He has completed all levels of the Army NCO education system, including the Senior Battle Staff NCO course.

Rhode’s staff assignments include recruiting area NCOIC, intelligence sergeant and operations sergeant for the 1st Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, and the operations sergeant major for 169th Field Artillery Brigade. He also served as the operations sergeant major for the COARNG deputy chief of staff.

Rhodes’ many awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal (tenth award) and Overseas Deployment Ribbon with 5 devices.

Rhodes comes from a long line of military service members, starting with his great grandfather, grandfather, father and stepfather. The tradition has continued with his sons; one of whom is already in the Army and the other will be joining soon. He charged those still serving to continue working hard so younger generations will have the leadership necessary to continue to be the strongest military force in the world.

“To those who are still wearing the uniform: Defend the freedom, defend the family,” said Rhodes. “Teach my sons and protect the country.”

With the departure of Rhodes, the 100th MDB(GMD) welcomed back to the unit Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Hamilton, who was promoted to command sergeant major before being passed the sword representing the exchange of leadership.

Hamilton entered the active duty Army on July 25, 1986 at Ft. Knox, Ky., where he began training as an armor crewman.

Hamilton spent 16 years as an armor crewman, in a variety of leadership and developmental positions. From 2003 to 2009, Hamilton served as a member of the 100th MDB(GMD). During that time, he served as a future operations officer on a missile defense element crew, brigade master evaluator, and brigade operations sergeant major. Hamilton’s most recent assignment was as the COARNG human resource sergeant major.

Hamilton assured the unit nothing would change as far as the leadership and the expectations that have been in place, and expressed his feelings on returning to this unique unit.