Photo by Kaitlin Hoskins/Messenger: Pictured, from left: Col. Robert Griggs, Col. Brad Benton, Bubba Masters, Bob Guyton, Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, Tena King, Jonathon Roland, Chris Ray, Lt. Col. Steve Witherington and Maj. Daniel Thomas pose for a photo at the Thursday, Sept. 7 meeting of the Gadsden Rotary Club at the Gadsden Country Club.
By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
The Gadsden Rotary Club welcomed Major General Sheryl Gordon to its weekly meeting at the Gadsden Country Club last Thursday, September 7.
Gordon, the Alabama National Guard’s first female general officer, spoke to Rotary Club members about the Alabama Army and Air National Guard, its mission and her role as adjunct general and future plans for the Guard.
Gordon assumed her duties as the 42nd adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard, July 28, 2017. As adjutant general, she advises the governor on military affairs and commands the Alabama Army and Air National Guard and its more than 12,000 citizen soldiers and airmen.
She became the Alabama National Guard’s first female general officer in 2009 and is the first female adjutant general in Alabama National Guard history.
Prior to her selection as Adjutant General, Gordon served as Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the 62nd Troop Command in Montgomery.
So far in her career, Gordon has earned several awards and decorations, such as Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (with Numeral 2), Alabama Veteran Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) and Alabama Special Service Ribbon.
She also received the Alabama Faithful Service Ribbon (with Silver and Bronze Saint Andrews Cross) and Alabama Basic Training Ribbon.
During her informative talk at the Gadsden Rotary Club, Gordon explained what the Alabama National Guard does, like responding to natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. She also explained how soldiers in the national guard hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time, like Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford, who is an active member of the Alabama National Guard and was just promoted to the rank of major this past week.
Gordon shared with those in attendance that the Alabama National Guard would be getting new F-35 fighter jets in December. The aircrafts will replace the old F-16s that are being phased out. Gordon hopes the new F-35s will be able to have the signature red tails, like the F-16s did.
Gordon also spoke about overseas training missions and recent deployments of the Alabama Guard.
Gordon explained the how the national guard has a dual state-federal mission, which means that the soldiers protect domestically but can also be deployed to assist overseas in times of need.
To round out her speech, Gordon said she was blessed to be able to do this for her career.
For more information about the Alabama Army and Air National Guard, visit www.al.ng.mil.