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Return to First Friday Briefing Nelson
Assumes Top Enlisted Post
Command Sergeant Major James Nelson of Sylvester has become the top non-commissioned officer for the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia's largest Army National Guard unit. Nelson, 51, is employed by the United States Marine Corps Logistical Base in Albany. The 27-year veteran of the Georgia Army National Guard leaves his position as Command Sergeant Major for Albany's 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry to take over the top enlisted position at the 4,000-soldier 48th Infantry Brigade headquartered in Macon. As the new Command sergeant major, Nelson says that what he will be the commander's eyes and ears. Nelson reports to Colonel (P) Stuart Rodeheaver who recently assumed command of the Georgia Army Guard's enhanced brigade. "What I will be doing will not be too much different than what I was doing at the 121st except at a much higher level," according to Nelson. "My job is to stay in touch with what's happening within the brigade while also advising the commander on the care and welfare of our soldiers and their families." Nelson says that he will also be responsible for making sure brigade personnel are trained in their individual "soldiering skills" such as weapons qualification and nuclear-biological- chemical proficiency. Nelson began his 29 years of military service in 1971 with three years active duty in the Army. After graduating from basic combat training as private at Fort Jackson, S.C., he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, stationed in Germany where he worked as a driver and a gunner aboard M60-A1 tanks. He left the Army in 1974 as a sergeant and a tank commander aboard the M155 Sheridan tank. After three years, Nelson returned to the military and joined the Georgia Army National Guard. He entered the Guard as a specialist and changed his military career field from armor to infantry and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 121st as a dismounted infantryman aboard an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. As his Guard career progressed, Nelson eventually became first sergeant of Company D once stationed in Eastman. Upon the unit disbanding in 1998, he was promoted to command sergeant major and moved to headquarters 648th Engineers in Statesboro. Nelson deployed to Bosnia with the 48th Infantry Brigade in 1998, participating in the NATO peacekeeping mission in that war-torn country. When the unit returned home, he was reassigned as command sergeant major with 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry. A highly decorated Guardsman, Nelson holds the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Expeditionary Service Medal. He also earned the Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Service Ribbon and the Army Good Conduct Medal. Nelson is married and the couple has four children and two grandchildren |
