RICHMOND, Va. –
Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed, the Virginia Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major, announced the selection of new senior enlisted leaders for three VAARNG commands Oct. 4, 2024.
Command Sgt. Maj. Latane I. Gilliam was selected as the new command sergeant major for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Command Team, Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Viera will take the reins as the senior enlisted leader for the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason M. Mendel will serve as the Maneuver Training Center Garrison command sergeant major.
All appointments are effective Nov. 1, 2024.
"Please join me in congratulating these proven leaders," Reed said. "These senior NCOs have demonstrated outstanding performance at the battalion level and were selected by a panel of current state, division and brigade-level NCOs."
Gilliam currently serves as the senior enlisted leader for the Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment. Prior to that he served as the 116th IBCT operations sergeant major. A resident of Courthouse, Virginia, Gilliam has more than 24 years of service in the military including a variety of positions in 2-183rd Cav, 116th IBCT and 29th Infantry Division.
Viera currently serves as the command sergeant major for the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment. A native of Bronx, New York, Viera enlisted in the Army in 1994. The Williamsburg, Virginia resident has served in a variety of leadership positions within the VARNG, including 29th Division Artillery, 3rd Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Battalion, 266th Military Police Company, 229th Military Police Company, Headquarters Company, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 29th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment and 1-111th Field Artillery Battalion.
Mendel currently serves as the senior enlisted advisor for the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Battalion. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mendel enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1998. His military assignments have included various posts within 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry, 256 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard and during combat operations he has served in units attached to 1st Calvary Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and 10th Mountain Division.
"These NCOs have shown that they understand the importance of leading by example, training from experience, maintaining and enforcing standards, and taking care of Soldiers," Reed said. "I look forward to working with these leaders in their new roles as we continue to grow the NCO Corps in the VAARNG."