National Guard Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Soldier

LATHAM, NY (08/14/2014)(readMedia)-- The Adjutant General for the State of New York, Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy presides over a transfer of responsibility ceremony tomorrow between the two senior noncommissioned officers at the Joint Force Headquarters.

Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Wicks, who retires after more than three years in the position. Both Soldiers are combat veterans with more than 70 years of combined military service.

As the state command sergeant major, Wilson will be the top enlisted Soldier in the 10,500- member New York Army National Guard and will serve as the adjutant general's personal advisor for all enlisted-related issues, particularly those affecting training and quality of life. He travels throughout the state observing training and talking to Soldiers and their families.

WHAT: Change of Responsibility Ceremony for the incoming New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson.

WHO: Command Sgts. Maj. Louis Wilson and Frank Wicks.

WHEN: Friday, August 15 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Joint Force Headquarters, New York National Guard, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham N.Y.

Media Opportunity:

Video and still imagery of the passing of the colors between the outgoing Command Sgt. Maj., Frank Wicks and the incoming Command Sgt. Maj., Louis Wilson. Interviews with the two senior NCOs regarding their perspectives on their careers and their lifetime of service on behalf of Soldiers. News media should contact the New York National Guard Public Affairs Office at 786-4581 prior to 1 p.m. for access to the secure military facility.

BACKGROUND

The change of responsibility is a simple traditional event that is rich with symbolism and Heritage. Key to the ceremony is the changing of position of responsibility between the outgoing and incoming command sergeants major.

Command Sgt. Major Louis Wilson

Command Sergeant Major Robert Louis Wilson has served in the military for over 38 years. He entered the New York Army National Guard in January 1976, completing his Army basic training and advance individual training at Fort Sill, Okla. His first duty assignment was a cannon crewman with the 1st Battalion, 209th Field Artillery New York Army National Guard Rochester, N.Y.

In his 38 years of assignment with the New York Army National Guard, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for a few units: 1st Battalion, 156th Field Artillery Kingston, 42nd Infantry Division Engineer Brigade, Buffalo, 153rd Troop Command Buffalo, and most recently at the 53rd Troop Command Camp Smith Training Site.

He is a graduate of Monroe Community College, earning his Associates of Applied Science degree in Food Service Administration. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the command team with the 42nd Infantry Division's Engineer Brigade for Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

His significant military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Unit Commendations Award, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/Gold Hour Glass and "M" Device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, New York State Commendation Medal w/Silver Shield Device, New York State Aid to Civil Authority, New York State Humanitarian Medal w/Silver Shield Device, New York State First Sergeant Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Pistol "Marksman" Qualification Badge.

In his civilian career, Wilson is a retired police officer from Rochester, N.Y. He is married to Teresa and they have three children and two grand-daughters.

Command Sgt. Major Frank Wicks

In his 32-year career, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Wicks has served in every noncommissioned officer leadership position from company to brigade to troop command. He has also served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

Wicks mobilized and deployed as the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry and Task Force Hunter Command Sergeant Major in October 2003 to the Sunni Triangle in Iraq, serving as the senior noncommissioned officer in the conduct of combat and stability operations of the Task Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His military education includes all four Noncommissioned Officers Development Courses culminating in graduation from the Sergeants Major Academy in June of 2002 and attended the Command Sergeant Major Designee Course. Wicks also earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from NYACK College.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal ("M" device 4th award, bronze hourglass), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

In the civilian sector, Wicks is employed by the New York State Police as a Manager of Information Services in Albany, N.Y. He is married to the former Beth Johnson from Clifton Park, N.Y. They have two children and reside in West Sand Lake.

He returns to his civilian job full-time following his retirement from military service.

Posted Thursday August 14, 2014 at 12:00 pm by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Thursday August 14, 2014 at 01:23 pm