Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden Sworn in as Ga.’s 43rd Adjutant General

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.

Governor Brian Kemp transfers the colors of the Georgia Department of Defense
from Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard to Maj. Gen. Tom Carden signifying Carden’s assumption
of duties as the 43rd Adjutant General of Georgia Jan. 26, 2019 at the Clay National
Guard Center in Marietta. Georgia National Guard Photo by Maj. William Carraway

“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.

Major General Tom Carden, 43rd Adjutant General of Ga., presents his
former commander, Maj. Gen. Daniel Petrescu, commander of Headquarters
Multinational Division Southeast, with an award for outstanding leadership. 
Petrescu traveled from Romania to attend Carden's assumption of
command ceremony Jan 26, 2019. Ga. National Guard
Photo by Maj. William Carraway

“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.”

Major General Joe Jarrard delivers farewell comments upon
relinquishing command of the Ga. DoD to Maj. Gen. Tom Carden
Jan. 26, 2019 at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta.
Ga.National Guard Photo by Maj. William Carraway

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.”

Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden presents Mrs. Susan Jarrard with the 

Georgia Commendation Medal Jan. 26, 2019. Mrs. Jarrard was 
recognized for her continuous service to the men and women 

of the Georgia DoD. photo by Spc. Tori Miller.

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.

“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.”

As commander of the Ga. Army National Guard, then Brig. Gen. Carden
brings his message of the Ga. Guard as a leadership factory to Soldiers of the
1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment during the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team’s eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation at Fort Stewart in 2017.
Many of the Soldiers are now serving in Afghanistan. Ga. National Guard
photo by Capt William Carraway

Historical Sketch of the 190th Military Police Company

by Maj. William 

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

Introduction

Capt. Charles G. Follin 
photo by Maj. William Carraway

On Jan. 12, 2019 Capt. Charles G. Follin relinquished command of the 190^th Military Police Company to Capt. Michael T. Moores The change of command was just the latest chapter in the history of the 190^th MP Company, which in 2019 will mark 95 years of service in the Georgia Army National Guard.

Formation and Early History

The 190^th MP Company was organized and federally recognized March 5, 1924 in the Georgia National Guard in Atlanta as Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion and Company C, 200th Infantry Regiment. On June 9, 1924, the unit was redesignated as Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, and Company C, 122d Infantry Regiment.[i]

On July 1, 1939, the unit was converted and redesignated as Headquarters Battery and Combat Train, 1st Battalion, and Battery C, 179th Field Artillery. One year later the unit was reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1940 as Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 179th Field Artillery.

WWII insignia of the 179th FA.
Georgia Guard Archives

World War II

The 179^th FA was inducted into federal service Feb. 24, 1941 in Atlanta. And on Feb. 8, 1943 was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters Battery and Battery C, 179th Field Artillery Battalion.

After serving in the European Operations, the 179^th FA was inactivated Dec. 9, 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Va.

Post WWII Reorganizations

Upon the reorganization of the Ga. Guard in July 1946, the 179^th FA Battalion was assigned to the 48th Infantry Division. The 179^th was reorganized and federally recognized May 2, 1947.On Nov. 1, 1955, the 48^th was reorganized as the 48th Armored Division and the 179^th was redesignated as Headquarters Battery and Battery C, 179th Armored Field Artillery Battalion.

 Despite a driving rain, more than 3,000 Georgia Guardsman participated in the Army Day parade in Atlanta April 6, 1949. In this image Company C, 
179th Field Artillery Battalion, 48th Infantry Division tows a 155 mm howitzer down Peachtree Street. 
Georgia Guard Archives.

Subsequent reorganizations in 1959 and 1963 established the unit as Headquarters Battery and Battery C, 1st Rocket Howitzer Battalion, 179th Artillery and Headquarters and Service Battery and Battery D, 1st Battalion, 179th Artillery, respectively.

On January 1, 1968, the unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 170th Military Police Battalion. On that date the 170^th was relieved from assignment to the 48th Armored Division.

The 170^th MP Battalion was consolidated with the 190^th MP Company in September 1990 and the consolidated unit was redesignated as the 190th Military Police Company. The new unit inherited the lineage and honors of the 170^th MP Battalion which traced its lineage to the 945^th Field Artillery Battalion which served in Europe during World War II.

The 190^th MP Company relocated to Dobbins Air Force Base Oct. 1, 1995 and moved to its present location in Kennesaw on Sept. 1, 1997.

Mobilizations

On Sept. 17, 1990, the 190th MP was mobilized to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. They provided security support for ports and harbors as well as main supply route security and circulation control. The 138 MPs also served as a quick reaction force. The 190th MP Company returned to the United States in April 1991.[ii]

The 190th was activated for state service during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. The MPs provided event security and traffic control.[iii]

Lieutenant General Edward D. Baca, chief of the National Guard Bureau 

addresses Georgia National Guardsmen of the 190th Military Police Company

 before the start of their duty day. The MPs are supporting the 

Summer Olympic Games. 

Georgia National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Gail Parnelle / released

Just 28 days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 the 190^th MP was ordered to active duty. The MPs augmented security operations at Fort Stewart, Ga. for 12 months.[iv]

Sergeant Harold Davis a Georgia National Guardsman with the 190th Military Police

 Company, waves traffic through to the next stop at the Fort McPherson gates in 

September 2002. The 190th MPs were mobilized to augment Fort McPherson and 

Fort Gillem security in October 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks. 

Georgia National Guard photograph by Specialist Jeff Lowry 

On March 15, 2003, 124 Soldiers of the 190^th MP were activated for deployment to Iraq.   The unit served until March 13, 2004 before returning to Kennesaw.[v]

On Jan. 14, 2010 the 190^th MP, under the command of Capt. Pervis Brown, entered federal service and mobilized to Afghanistan. The MPs served at Bagram Air Base providing security for the base detention center. Additionally, the 190th escorted detainees to and from the center and served as part of the base’s immediate response force. The unit returned home Jan 7, 2011.[vi]

Captain Pervis Brown reports the return of the Kennesaw, Ga.-based 190th
Military Police Company from Afghanistan to Maj. Gen. Maria L. Britt,
commander of the Georgia Army Guard Jan 7, 2011.
Georgia National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry 

The 190th MP Company was mobilized following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and for Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Michael from 2016 to 2018. During hurricane response operations the MPs assisted local law enforcement with curfew enforcement, security and traffic control missions.[vii]

Georgia Army National Guard Specialist David Roberts of the

 Kennesaw-based 190th Military Police Company gathers his gear

 prior to mobilization to the Gulf Coast in August 2005 in support

  of Hurricane Katrina. Ga. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Gail Parnelle

---

[i] Department of the Army Lineage and Honors of the 190th Military Police Company – reference for Formation and Early History, WWII, Post WWII Reorganization

[ii] “After the Storm.” The Georgia Guardsman Magazine, Fall, 1991, 1.

[iii] “Flashback: 1996 Olympics.” The Georgia Guardsman Magazine, Summer, 2016, 17-19.

[iv] Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2012.

[v] Department of the Army Lineage and Honors of the 190th Military Police Company.

[vi] "Kennesaw’s 190th MPs Come Home." The Georgia Guardsman Magazine, January 2011, 15.

[vii] Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report 2016, 2017 and 2018.