Newest Colonel in the Ga. ARNG

Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Colonel Jason Baker is pinned with his new rank by his wife Yolanda and mother Izora Bullock during a promotion ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center April 15, 2019.  

MARIETTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

04.15.2019

Story by Maj. William Carraway 

Georgia National Guard

Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of the Georgia Department of Defense crowded into the drill hall of the Clay National Guard Center April 15, 2019 to witness the promotion of Lt. Col. Jason Baker to colonel.
“This is a very important milestone,” said Brig. Gen. Randall Simmons, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. “Only about one third of one percent of our population serve in the Army, of those, less than one percent achieve the rank of colonel.”
Baker’s promotion was preceded by a singing of the national anthem by Staff Sgt. John Howard and an invocation by the Reverend Izora Bullock. Baker was pinned with his new insignia of rank by his wife Yolanda, son Preston and parents, the Reverend Ron Bullock and the Reverend Izora Bullock. Retired Command Sgt. Major Flint Weathers, who had served as Baker’s senior enlisted advisor at the 1st Squadron 108th Cavalry Regiment was called upon to pin Baker’s new rank on his Stetson. Baker’s new rank insignia was provided by two general officers of the Georgia Guard: Brigadier General Thomas Blackstock, commander of the Ga. ARNG’s 78th Troop Command and Brig. Gen. Reginald Neal, director of the joint staff for the Georgia National Guard. Neal administered Baker’s oath of office and congratulated the Georgia Army National Guard’s newest colonel.
Baker, a native of Indianapolis, Ind. has served in command positions from company to battalion level and served as executive officer of the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during the brigade’s 2014 deployment to Afghanistan. He had previously deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and returned to Iraq in 2006 with a military transition team. In addition to combat deployments, Baker’s international experience included a stint as bilateral affairs officer in Tbilisi, Country of Georgia from 2009-2011 as part of the Georgia National Guard’s state partnership program. Since 2018 he has served as the Georgia Army National Guard’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga.
In his remarks, Col. Baker spoke of those who had inspired him along the way, those who had exhibited colonelship. He cited examples of leadership from Maj. Gen. Tom Carden, Adjutant General of Georgia as well as the former adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard who was viewing the promotion ceremony from his duty assignment in Germany. Baker lauded the examples set by Blackstock and Neal as well as retired Col. Jeff Dickerson and Command Sgt. Major Flint Weathers. Baker also recognized officers and noncommissioned officers who had been instrumental in his professional development.
“I must give thanks to all those who supported me in my career,” said Baker. “Each of these individuals contributed significantly, particularly (Command Sgt. Major Flint) Weathers.”

• Date Taken: 04.15.2019
• Date Posted: 04.16.2019 22:07
• Story ID: 318392
• Location: MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US