RICHMOND, Va. –
Command Sgt. Maj. Irving Reed Jr. took responsibility as the Virginia Army National Guard’s top noncommissioned officer from Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith Jr. during a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 7, 2023, at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, Virginia Army National Guard Land Component Commander, presided over the ceremony which included an exchange of colors that represented the change of responsibility from Smith to Reed.
Reed most recently served as command sergeant major for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during their overseas deployment to Kosovo. There, the 116th IBCT operated as part of NATO’s Kosovo Force, or KFOR, and was responsible for peace stability operations in Regional Command – East.
“They say great work begets more work,” Gallagher said during his remarks. “I know you’ve spent most of your time in the IBCT, so we look forward to you being able to leverage those experiences from the brigade for the benefit of the rest of the formation.”
Following the exchange of the colors and the presentation of an award to Smith, Reed addressed those assembled for the ceremony.
“Ron, you have been a battle-buddy, a mentor and a good friend. You will be missed,” Reed said. “Rest assured, I will continue your legacy and ensure our Virginia Guard Soldiers are trained, equipped and ready for our next federal or state mission.”
Smith, who had served as the Virginia Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major since 2018, now serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard.
Reed first enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1982 and joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 1991. Since then, he has served at various levels of leadership throughout the 116th IBCT, to include as a team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant and command sergeant major at the battalion and brigade level. Over more than 35 years of service he has completed multiple deployments to Iraq, Qatar, and Kosovo.