Video

Video by Spc. Stephen Wright

Big Changes Come to the Arkansas National Guard

Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office

July 16, 2017 | 10:45

On Saturday, July 15, 2017, Colonel John O. Payne was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Payne will now serve as
the Assistant Adjutant General - Support, for the Arkansas National Guard. General Payne has served in the military since 1988 when he
was named as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Henderson State University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). The keynote
speaker at the event was Brigadier General Gregrey Bacon of the Arkansas National Guard. Remarks were given by both Payne and Bacon.

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Command Sergeant Major Larry N. Rankin relinquished responsibility of being the Arkansas National Guard's
State Command Sergeant Major to Command Sergeant Major James "Rick" Megoloff at a Change of Responsibility ceremony held at the
Robinson Maneuver Training Center. The State Command Sgt. Maj. is the highest rank achievable in the Arkansas Army National Guard aside
from the Senior Enlisted Leader of the Joint Forces Which is currently held by Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Veazey. Rankin has served in the
Arkansas National Guard for 41 years and is scheduled to retire from service later this summer.

Also on Sunday, Brig. Gen. Keith Klemmer, Assistant Adjutant General, Arkansas National Guard, retired after 30 years of service. At the
retirement ceremony, Klemmer received the Legion of Merit and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal. His General Officer flag was cased
to signify the end of his career.