Kansas National Guard honor two soldiers in change of command Saturday

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW)— The Kansas Army National Guard held a change of command ceremony on Saturday, March 1 to celebrate the contributions of two committed servicemen.

“It’s kind of a ceremonial piece to be able to demonstrate to the entire organization that there’s been a change in leadership at the command level for the organization,” said Brig. Gen. Anthony Mohatt, Kansas National Guard.

Soldiers of the Kansas Army National Guard, along with friends and family came to see a passing of the torch.

“The symbology of a change of command is then presented in public. It. It is for the soldiers so that they can see that the authority is now on a new commander to come in and lead the organization. And prepares for the war fight ahead,” said Co. Sgt. Maj. Chris Hargis, Kansas National Guard.

Brigade General Carlin Williams was sworn in as assistant adjunct general in the army and commander of the state’s national guard.

“It was not a goal of mine to become the commander of the Kansas Army national. It kind of happened over the years through leadership and mentorship of the people in front of me prepared me for for this experience. And I’m just amazed and honored to be here today to do that. The job,” said Brig. Gen. Carlin Williams, Kansas National Guard.

He will follow in the footsteps of Anthony Mohatt, who will be retiring from service.

“For a person like myself that’s been serving for 39 years in the last nine of those years, being in the command of this unit, you get a very sense of emotion. When when you say goodbye to the organization, you care so much about,” said Mohatt.

Williams wants to use his title to serve the nation, state, and his brothers in arms.

“There’s countless stories where I can tell personally of those times of people out in that formation whether or not they worked for me, or whether or not they were my commander that pushed me and and made me go further. So it’s really the people, it’s the people that makes the army,” said Williams.

Williams is a notable service member, having earned a bronze star with two oak leaf clusters, a purple heart, and the Legion of Merit.

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