HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 470 Offered February 22, 2008 Commending Command Sergeant Major Robert W. Huffman. ---------- Patron-- Cox ----------

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Robert W. Huffman of the Virginia Army National Guard retires in May 2008 after 38 years of exceptional service to the Commonwealth and the nation; and

WHEREAS, a native of Clifton Forge, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Huffman began his long and illustrious career when he enlisted as an infantryman in the Virginia Army National Guard on January 6, 1970; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, CSM Huffman was selected to serve in the active guard reserve program and was assigned to be an instructor with the 29th Infantry Division (Light) at Fort A.P. Hill, where he quickly became a vital part of the operations team; and

WHEREAS, CSM Huffman progressed through the leadership ranks of noncommissioned officers in the division operations section and became Operations Sergeant Major for the 29th Infantry Division (Light) in 1989 and then was selected to serve as the division’s Command Sergeant Major in 2000; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, CSM Huffman moved to State Area Command Headquarters at Fort Pickett to serve as the fourth Command Sergeant Major for the Commonwealth; in this position he was responsible for all enlisted soldiers and their careers, and he quickly earned a reputation as a friend, mentor, and advocate to enlisted soldiers throughout the Virginia Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, CSM Huffman was appointed as the senior enlisted adviser to the then new Adjutant General for the Virginia Army and Air National Guard and he proved to be as trustworthy and capable as ever; and

WHEREAS, among his many accomplishments, CSM Huffman showed exemplary leadership when the Virginia Army and Air National Guards transitioned to a new joint force headquarters in 2005, and he was the only enlisted soldier selected to participate on the Joint Force Headquarters Strategic Planning Committee; and

WHEREAS, CSM Huffman also established the first state enlisted advisory board; helped organize a recruit holding company that resulted in a remarkable improvement in the retention of nonprior service recruits; was selected as the First Army, Eastern Region representative to the National Guard Bureau’s CSM Advisory Board; and served as the co-chairman for the Advisory Board’s Enlisted Promotion System; and

WHEREAS, CSM Huffman has been recognized with many awards and honors during his career, including three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medal, five Good Conduct Medals, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with high distinction, six VaNG Emergency Service Ribbons, and the Air Assault Badge; and

WHEREAS, the influence of CSM Huffman’s guidance, knowledge, and dedication to the noncommissioned officer corps will be felt for years to come and he will be sorely missed by his colleagues and soldiers throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Command Sergeant Major Robert W. Huffman on his 38 years of outstanding service to the Virginia Army National Guard; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Command Sergeant Major Robert W. Huffman as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his commitment to the defense of our Commonwealth and our nation and best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.