LANSING, MICH.- Okemos resident Command Sergeant Major Delbert P. Husband has been selected as the ninth State Command Sergeant Major of the Michigan National Guard. A ceremony welcoming him will take place Oct. 4, 2009, 3 p.m. in the drill hall of the National Guard headquarters building at 3411 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Command Sgt. Maj. Husband began his military career in August 1974 as a combat medic in the Grand Ledge based Company B, 238th Aviation Battalion, Michigan Army National Guard. He has since served duties as squad leader, section leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant and operations chief NCO. In 2006 he deployed to Balad, Iraq as the force health protection operations chief NCO with the Ypsilanti-based 146th Multi Functional Medical Battalion. Following his return from mobilization, Husband served as senior enlisted advisor to the National Guard Bureau Chief Surgeon, Husband currently serves as the Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. for the 146th Multi-functional Medical Battalion.

Husband will replace current Michigan National Guard State Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Slee who is retiring after serving 40 years in the Michigan Army National Guard, the last five as the State Command Sgt. Maj. and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Adjutant General.

Husband is a graduate of Lansing Everett High School, the United States Army Sergeants' Major Academy, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Combat Medic Advance Individual Training, Flight Medic Course and Basic Infantry Training.

He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (second award), Army Achievement Medal (second award), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (fifth award), National Defense Service Medal (second Award), the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among others.

Husband is married to Dr. Sonya R. Gunnings-Moton. They have three children: Jason, Shyree, and Taylor, and one granddaughter Jayli.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
Media is invited to attend the ceremony. CSM Husband and CSM Slee and their family members will be available for interviews.