House Resolution 61

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BRIAN K. BELUE UPON BEING THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO REACH THE RANK OF COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR IN THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD.

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Brian K. Belue, a native of Tishomingo County, has made Mississippi history in his recent promotion to the rank of Command Sergeant Major in the Mississippi National Guard; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from training in Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1988, Sergeant Major Belue was assigned to Company C in Iuka, Mississippi, and since then, he has amassed over 23 years experience serving in different capacities within the Mississippi National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Major Belue's different assignments have included First Sergeant of Company C, Company A, Company B and HHT, 98 Cav., Amory, Mississippi, service in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991 and two tours of duty in Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2006 and 2009-2010; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his different assignments, Sergeant Major Belue has ample military education to assist in his leadership roles, including: Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers course, First Sergeants Course in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas, as well as a business degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Major Belue is a decorated military veteran, having earned the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3), the Army Achievement Medal (4), the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (6), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Mississippi Emergency Service Medal, the Mississippi War Medal, the Mississippi Medal of Efficiency (4), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Mississippi Longevity Medal; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Major Belue is the son of Teddy Joe and Nelda Belue of Iuka and he is currently a resident of Corinth, Mississippi, where he is employed by Caterpillar; and

WHEREAS, possessing a rather straightforward leadership philosophy and vision, Sergeant Major Belue believes that the best policy is to lead by example through your actions, behaviorism and appearance, and he encourages the leaders within his unit to serve as competent, fair, consistent and ethically sound role models; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend those individuals who display excellence in leadership and who dutifully serve their country and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Sergeant Major Brian K. Belue upon being named the youngest person to attain the rank of Command Sergeant Major in the Mississippi National Guard, and express our best wishes for success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Command Sergeant Major Belue and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.