New State Command Sergeant Major Appointed for Maine Army National Guard

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Command Sgt. Mark Smith, the incoming State Command Sgt. Maj. receives the ceremonial sword from Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, during the change of responsibility ceremony on June 2nd in Augusta.

AUGUSTA, ME (06/03/2018) (readMedia)-- Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard, announced today that Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Smith is appointed as the new State Command Sergeant Major for the Maine Army National Guard effective June 2, 2018.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Smith has demonstrated 32 years of steadfast leadership in service to the Maine Army National Guard," Farnham said. "He is the right person to lead our enlisted formation as Maine's top enlisted Soldier."

The state command sergeant major is the senior enlisted advisor to the Adjutant General and represents the NCO corps, influencing policy and serving as a role model, standard-bearer and voice for enlisted personnel.

Smith enlisted in the Maine Army National Guard as a carpenter and mason specialist in 1985. He has served in multiple units throughout the state, with his most recent assignments as the command sergeant major for the 286th Combat Service and Support Battalion, 120th Regional Support Group operations sergeant major and the operations sergeant major for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

"I am a Maine Army National Guard soldier, through and through," Smith said. "I enlisted in the Maine Army National Guard and have been proud to serve alongside of you throughout my career. I want to thank my family for their support over the years, which has made this opportunity possible."

Smith is a graduate of the US Army's Command Sergeants Major Academy. He is a combat veteran, having deployed to Afghanistan with the 240th Engineer Group in 2006-2007 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I am humbled that I have been selected for this position and excited and ready to serve all of the enlisted men and women of Maine as the 14th State Command Sergeant Major of our great state," he said. "I look forward to improving the readiness of the Maine National Guard to ensure we are prepared for any mission."

Smith's awards and decorations include bronze star medal, two meritorious service medals, five Army commendation medals, five Army achievement medals, the NATO medal and numerous other awards.

Smith replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Scott M. Doyon who retires after 27 years of service.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Smith, you have definitely earned your way to the top and deserve to be the 14th State CSM. You are well prepared and will take the NCO Corps to the next level" Doyon said.

For additional information, please contact Lt. Col. Darryl Lyon at 207-430-5966, or ng.me.mearng.list.public-affairs@mail.mil