Rochester Resident Promoted to Sergeant Major

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Photo A

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/17/2018) (readMedia)-- Heather Blakeman of Rochester, Illinois, was promoted to sergeant major during a ceremony Oct. 15 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Blakeman serves as the Medical Branch Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for the G1. In January Blakeman will become the G1 Sergeant Major the top enlisted position in charge of personnel for the Illinois Army National Guard.

Blakeman enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1993 as a Personnel Records Specialist. During her 25 year military career Blakeman has served in various positions including Medical Branch NCOIC, First Sergeant, Brigade Senior Human Resource NCO, and Boards Branch NCOIC.

During the ceremony Blakeman stressed the importance of mentors in her military career.

"I have been a part of many great teams during my time, and I want to take time to thank the many people in the room that have been a part of me reaching this position in my career," said Blakeman.

Blakeman's daughters Kaitlin and Madeline joined her mother on stage to change the rank on her uniform. Madeline, age 10, removed the rank of Master Sergeant from her mother. Afterward Kaitlin, age 15, applied the new rank of Sergeant Major.

Photo A: Kaitlin and Madeline Blakeman place the rank of Sergeant Major on their mother, Heather's chest during a promotion ceremony Oct. 15 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. Blakeman becomes the G1 sergeant major in charge of personnel for Illinois in Jan. 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Gifford, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Photo B: Sergeant Major Heather Blakeman gives remarks during a promotion ceremony Oct. 15 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. Blakeman enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1993, currently she is the Medical Branch Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Gifford, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)