story & photo
by Alexis Ann
Last August, I received an invitation from the Office of the Governor Brian Schweitzer of the State of Montana cordially inviting me to attend the Change of Command Ceremony for the Montana National Guard on September 6, 2008. Wow! Brigadier General John Walsh, brother of my Guard buddy, Jack, was taking command of the entire Montana National Guard as the new Adjutant General.
For some background info, I was Montana’s first woman to receive a Direct Commission by President Ford in 1976, when I entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. I was lucky to serve in the Montana Army National Guard (MT ARNG) under the command of Major General John Womack. As a Public Affairs Officer in the 103rd Public Affairs Detachment, MT ARNG, I was even more lucky to have the opportunity to work with Colonel Jack Walsh (ret). At that time, Captain Walsh, was the State Recruiting Officer and I was the Radio & TV Officer, 103rd Public Affairs Detachment. We were dedicated to communicating the “good news” about the National Guard across thefourth largest state in the country–so big that you can fit 35 States of Connecticut inside it.
As I was ready to leave the Big Sky State and return home to Connecticut, Jack’s younger brother, John Walsh, entered the Guard as a Private First Class. I remember accompanying Jack to see John off at the Helena Airport as he headed for Fort Leonard Wood, MO, to begin his military journey, May 1980, two days after Mt. St. Helena erupted. Vividly, I recall the sense of pride on my buddy, Jack’s face as he returned a farewell salute to his brother in true military tradition.
Staying in touch with Jack via phone, always included his brother’s progress in the Guard. When the call came in from Jack that summer evening in July 2004, I sensed something was up. “What’s up?” I asked Jack.
“John’s in Iraq,” Jack said. “He’s the Batallion Commander for the 163rd.”
“Wow!” “Congrats! Your brother is doing well.”
Unlike civilians, we don’t say things like, “He’ll be okay or he’ll be fine.” Instead, we tend to share a moment of silence and then, blurt out in order-like fashion, “Keep me posted!” We know the risk factor. That’s what every man and woman takes on when putting on the uniform. Softness is camouflaged, as we know that our job is to protect and serve our country.
At Fort Harrison’s parade field, Helena, in front of a gathering of 400 Guardsmen and women, family and friends, Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer presents the state command flag to Brig. Gen. John Walsh, Montana’s new Adjutant General of the Guard. The passing of this flag from the Commander in Chief to General Walsh signifies the passing of his trust and command responsibilities to John.
“I accept command of Montana National Guard,” said John.
“Montana-trained, battle-tested, ready to lead,” said Governor Schweitzer about the new leader of his Force. “In these times, we expect more of the National Guard than we have in any other time in this century.”
“It’s been six decades, since we have sent the National Guard in Montana into active service in support of this country overseas-six decades!”
“I promise you, families and friends of the Montana National Guard, we will never send guardsmen and women unless they are the best trained warriors in the world!”
Brig. Gen. Walsh, pledging to take the Montana National Guard to the next level, “There is no time to rest,” said John. “Eleven soldiers are now in Billings, preparing to link up with a mobilization unit and then deploy to Iraq. More deployments will follow.” Gen. Walsh assured that the troops would be trained and ready before mobilization.
Then, the firing of historic cannons, drum rolls and “God Bless America!”
The General’s Resume:
Education:
1988 Armor Officer Basic Course
1990 University of the State of New York, BS Degree, Political Science
1993 Armor Officer Advance Course
1995 Combined Arms Service Staff School – CAS-3
1997 Command and General Staff College
2001 Instructor Tactical Certification Course
2004 Tactical Commanders Development Course
2004 Infantry Battalion and BDE Pre-Command Course
2004 Battalion Commanders Development Course
2007 United States Army War College, Masters Degree, Strategic Studies
Assignments:
• August 1987 – September 1988 – Evaluation and Readiness Officer, HQ STARC, Helena
• September 1988 – February 1990 – Platoon Leader, C/1-163d CAV, Helena
• February 1990 – March 1991 – Executive Officer, C/1-163d CAV, Helena
• March 1991 – November 1993 – Company Commander, B/1-163d CAV, Hamilton, MT
• November 1993 – March 1995 – S2/S3 Instructor, 208th RTI, Helena
• March 1995 – August 1995 – Assistant Plans Officer, HQ STARC, Helena
• August 1995 – December 1995 – Force Integration Officer, HQ STARC, Helena
• December 1995 – July 1997 – Evaluation and Readiness Officer, HQ STARC, Helena
• July 1997 – April 2001 – Military Support Officer, HQ STARC, Helena
• April 2001 – October 2001 – Operations Officer/Executive Officer, 208th RTI, Helena
• October 2001 – July 2003 – Commander, 208th RTI, Helena
• July 2003 – January 2004 – Executive Officer, 95th Troop Command, Helena
• January 2004 – June 2004 – Battalion Commander, 1-163rd Infantry (M), Belgrade
• July 2004 – November 2005 – Battalion Commander, 1-163rd Infantry (M), Hawija, Iraq
• July 2006 – July 2007 – United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA
• July 2007 – September 2008 – J-3, Joint Force Headquarters-Montana, Helena
• September 2008 – Present – 2008
Major Awards and Decorations:
• Combat Infantry Badge
• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Badge (3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Army Commendation Medal (1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Army Achievement Medal (1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Army Good Conduct Medal
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1 Silver Oak Leave Cluster)
• National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Service Star)
• Iraqi Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 Silver Hourglass)
• NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Arabic Numeral 2)
• Army Service Ribbon
• Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
• Montana Army National Guard Distinguished Service Medal
• Montana Army National Guard Service Ribbon (4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Montana Army National Guard Attendance Ribbon (2 Silver and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Montana Army National Guard Physical Fitness Ribbon (3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Effective Dates of Promotions:
Second Lieutenant – August 14, 1987
First Lieutenant – August 13, 1990
Captain – July 24, 1992
Major – July 23, 1996
Lieutenant Colonel – December 18, 2001
Colonel – May 16, 2006
Brigadier General (MT) – September 1, 2008
Your paper is outstanding and I have always enjoyed reading the Resident Your community is very fortunate to have a publication the keeps the citizens so well informed.Your loyal advertisers must be happy to receive such wide coverage. Keep up the good work and good luck.