CENTENNIAL, Colo. (4/2/11) – Command Sgt. Maj. Ken Berube assumed the responsibility of state command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony held at the Colorado National Guard state headquarters April 2.

“I am very excited, I am very humbled by the whole thing,” said Berube. “I feel very fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity.”

The Colorado Army National Guard’s newest state command sergeant major has many goals he wants to achieve during his tenure.

“I think what we have to do is get back to basics, because basics are our foundation,” said Berube. “Military customs and courtesies, discipline and day-to-day activities … sometimes we overlook (those) because our mobilization tempo is so high. I want to get back to basics in order to create a strong military foundation.”

Berube left his full-time career as an officer with the Denver Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau in order to take on his newest role.

Berube entered the Army in 1983, beginning his career in the military as an infantryman stationed in Aschaffenberg, Germany. He went on to be a squad leader in the 4th Military Police Company, squad leader of an MP detachment for physical security, a traffic accident investigator and more.

In 1992, Berube entered the Colorado Army National Guard and was assigned to the 220th Military Police Company, where he held the titles of team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, operations sergeant and first sergeant.

Berube has deployed to Hungary and the Balkans in support of Operation Joint Forge and to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

The former State CSM, Daniel Lousberg, deployed just a few days before the ceremony, in support of Operation New Dawn.

“I would like to thank (Lousberg) for his mentorship, the guidance and the friendship that he has given me over the years,” said Berube. “I know he feels strongly about deploying and serving our country overseas, and I wish him well and his family well.”