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Sgt. Maj. Adkins Chosen As State Command Sergeant Major
By the Guardlife Staff

SGT MAJ. AdkinsThe Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, has chosen Sgt. Maj. Richard S. Adkins, Jr. as the New Jersey State Command Sergeant Major.

Prior to his appointment, Command Sgt. Maj. Adkins served as the Operations/ Maintenance Sergeant Major, at Headquarters State Area Command, Fort Dix. Command Sgt. Maj. Adkins was born on Nov. 4 1949, in Trenton. After graduating from Trenton Central High School he continued his education at Mercer County Community College. He is currently attending Excelsior College.

Command Sgt. Maj. Adkins entered the military in July 1968. He completed his basic military training at Fort Knox, Ky, and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Okla. as a field artillery crewmember. He has served in various positions including Motor Sergeant, Chief of Survey and Chief of Detail, Battery A, 4-112th Field Artillery; Chief of Firing Battery and First Sergeant, Battery C, 4-112th Field Artillery; Tactical Communications Chief, HQ 4-112th Field Artillery; Section Chief Mechanical Maintenance Sergeant, Maintenance Operations Sergeant and First Sergeant, 117th Maintenance Company; Operations Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major, 119th Maintenance Battalion.

Command Sgt. Maj. Adkins has received the following awards during his military career: The Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, New Jersey Commendation Medal, New Jersey Ribbon of Honor with four devices, the New Jersey Good Conduct Ribbon with eight devices, New Jersey Merit Award with 31 devices, New Jersey Desert Storm Ribbon, New Jersey State Service Award, and the New Jersey Governors Unit Award.