Thomas Carden as a second lieutenant in 1989 and a major general 30 years later. Photos courtesy of Maj. Gen. Carden and TSgt. Shaleata Johnson |
By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard
Long-time Georgia Army National Guard
Soldier Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden became the 43rd Adjutant General of the Georgia
Department of Defense Jan. 26, 2019 during a ceremony at the Clay National
Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. Carden, who enlisted as a private in the Ga. ARNG
in 1986 was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to succeed Maj. Gen Joe Jarrard.
“This solemn occasion represents the
passing of the torch from a man of great integrity… to another in whom I have
the utmost confidence and respect,” said Gov. Kemp.
Major Gen. Thomas Carden’s career
began in the Georgia National Guard in 1986 when he enlisted as an infantry
private. Three years later, Carden was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant by the
Georgia Military Institute. Since then he has advanced through the ranks and
achieved positions of ever-increasing responsibility from company to brigade
command as well as senior staff positions. In 2005, Carden deployed to Iraq as
the effects coordinator for the 48th Infantry Brigade. Earlier this month, the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan as part of its fourth overseas combat
deployment since Sept. 11, 2001.
Lieutenant Colonels Thomas Carden and Randall Scott Carter with the 48th Infantry Brigade in Iraq in 2005. Georgia Guard Archives. |
In January 2015, Carden was selected
to command the Georgia Army National Guard and served as the Georgia’s
Assistant Adjutant General-Army, its 14th since the position was created by the
passage of the Georgia Military Forces Reorganization Act of 1955. On September
15, 2017, Carden was appointed to serve as deputy commanding general,
Multi-National Division, Southeast, headquartered in Bucharest, Romania.
“I am very pleased our military
leadership at the national level has recognized what we in Georgia already
know, and that is the outstanding abilities of General Tom Carden,” said
Governor Nathan Deal reacting to Carden’s appointment in 2017. “His service to our
state and nation has been exemplary and I look forward to seeing his leadership
impact our total force as well as that of our NATO allies.”
Carden follows the successful tenure
of Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard who departs to serve as deputy commanding general for
Army National Guard, U.S. Army Europe. Jarrard served as Assistant Adjutant
General-Army for the Ga. ARNG from October 2011 to January 2015 when he was
sworn in as the 42nd Adjutant General of Georgia
“Major General Joe Jarrard, I commend
your years of service as Georgia’s Adjutant General,” said Kemp. "You have
led this command with humility and strength. I would also like to commend Susan
for her great service and sacrifice as well.”
Symbolizing the change of command,
Maj. Gen. Jarrard transferred the Ga. DoD colors to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp,
who in turn, entrusted them to Carden.
Speaking before an American flag which
spanned the width of the stage, Gov. Kemp praised the efforts of the Ga. DoD
under Jarrard’s leadership.
“I am humbled by your service,” said
Kemp. “In the wake of a devastating storm, you are ready to serve. You ensure
peace and prosperity for all our citizens… We are forever indebted to you and
to those great leaders who lead you.”
Jarrard thanked the many distinguished visitors in attendance and recounted contributions made by civic and military leaders to the Ga. DoD. He also recognized the service of the nearly 3,000 Georgia Guard Soldiers and Airmen who are currently mobilized for the war fight and thanked the assembled members of the Ga. DoD.
"While it is bittersweet to leave
all of you, Susan and I know you are getting an even better command team,” said
Jarrard. "(Major General) Tom and Charlene Carden along with Kendall and
Kyle are a wonderful family who will make the team even better. They have long
been an integral part of the Ga. Guard family and we are so glad to welcome
them back.”
Jarrard evoked the boars’ head symbol
of the Ga. DoD in his closing statement.
“The boars head is symbolic of three
things: hospitality… courage and ferocity…,” said Jarrard. "When action is
necessary, your Georgia Guard acts with ferocity. I will be a Georgia Guardsman
for life, and it has been the honor of a lifetime to have served as your
adjutant general.”
In his remarks, Carden sounded a
familiar theme of leadership, describing the Ga. DoD as a leadership factory.
“I am honored, humbled and completely
fired up to be here today,” said Carden. “As I look across the room, I see
mentors who go back decades. Men and women who serve a cause larger than
themselves. I am inspired and honored to be in the same room with you.”
Carden praised the work of Maj. Gen.
Joe Jarrard and noted that he had set a high mark of performance for him to
follow.
“Most of you know that with Major General
Jarrard and Susan Jarrard we got two for the price of one,” said Carden. Thank
you for setting the example of servant leadership.”
In his first official act as adjutant General, Carden presented Maj. Gen. Jarrard with the Oglethorpe Distinguished Service Medal. Susan Jarrard was presented with the Georgia Commendation Medal for her dedication and service to the Ga. DoD.
Carden concluded his remarks by sharing his three priorities: people, people and people.
Carden concluded his remarks by sharing his three priorities: people, people and people.
“I have learned over the past 33 years
in uniform that if we take care of our Soldiers, Airmen their families and
employers they will absolutely crush the mission,” said Carden. “We will
provide ready forces to the governor when our neighbors are in need. We will
also provide the president with capable, physically fit and lethal combat
formations on the ground and in the air ready to fight and win America’s wars.”
I went to Sunday school with his father as a child. Very nice family.
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