Friday, March 5, 2021 –
FOR RELEASE: Friday, March 5, 2021
CONTACT: CONG Public Affairs Office, 720-250-1053, ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado Army National Guard’s top Non-commissioned Officers-in-Charge will change responsibility in a ceremony March 2, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Joint Force Headquarters-Colorado, 6848 South Revere Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112.
Current U.S. Army State Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Macias will pass responsibility to U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Assaad.
“It has been a pleasure serving alongside the fantastic Soldiers of the Colorado Army National Guard,” Macias said. “I will truly miss them. Be safe and continue doing a great job for our state and nation.”
Macias began his military career in May 1982. His first duty assignment was the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He joined the COARNG in March 1991 and served as a field artillery mechanic. Other notable positions held include 947th Engineer Company first sergeant, Centennial Training Site command sergeant major, 168th Regional Training Institute regimental command sergeant major as well as commandant for the Warrior Leader Course, and 169th Field Artillery Brigade command sergeant major.
Macias holds an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Repair and is Automotive Service Excellence certified.
Macias was born in San Gabriel, California, and now resides in Fountain, Colorado, with his wife, Lenore. He is retiring with 38 years of military service.
Assaad entered the Kansas Army National Guard March 23, 1994.
He has served his entire career in field artillery, holding the positions of first sergeant, battalion operations sergeant major, brigade operations sergeant major, battalion command sergeant major, and brigade command sergeant major.
Assaad deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Slovenia in support of Immediate Response 15, Jordan in support of Colorado’s State Partnership Program, and various domestic operations missions in support of state emergency response.
“I am humbled and honored to serve as the 13th state command sergeant major of the Colorado Army National Guard,” Assaad said. “I’m excited to serve our communities and our nation in this capacity alongside the great men and women of this organization.”
The state command sergeant major is the senior enlisted leader assigned to collaborate with the Assistant Adjutant General, Army, in all enlisted matters pertaining to readiness, leader development, force structure and growth. The state command sergeant major advises commanders on full-time unit support activities, as well as represents the COARNG’s needs pertaining to the mobilization of trained, competent, professional, ready forces, for both state and federal missions.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation procedures, the ceremony can be attended by invitation only.