CSM John F . Sampa’s Farewell

IT’S BEEN 35 YEARS AND THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME FOR ME TO HANG UP MY ARMY UNIFORM AND BOOTS AS A SOLDIER AND AS THE 12TH COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

As I reflect on those 35 years, my thoughts turn to our Soldiers, their families, and employers who have given so much to meet the needs of their communities and this great nation. My entire family and civilian employer are definitely part of that contribution. I really can’t say thank you enough to my wife of 30-plus years, Carlette, our two adult children, John B. and Julia, my employer of 27 years, the Texas Highway Patrol, or my comrades in the Army and the National Guard for the total support they have provided me throughout my Army career.

I leave with a heart full of gratitude, great memories, plenty of friends and with overwhelming joy as a Soldier in the Army National Guard. I am truly a Soldier for life. I did not make a mistake joining the Army National Guard and the United States Army.

The dedicated men and women in the National Guard will never stop impressing me with their competence and compassion, and their ability to execute as a team —no matter the task. That execution as a team was displayed for the world to see in January 2021, when 26,000 National Guard members from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia dropped everything in their civilian lives and with a moment’s notice traveled to Washington, D.C., to provide security for the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

Because of professionals like them, the National Guard is seen as trusted members of their communities and around the world. I believe that is a true testament to their ability to learn and grow, face threats, overcome all manner of challenges, and their ability to put people first. We are “Always Ready, Always There,” because of THEM. I could not be prouder of their initiative, loyalty, and dedication to service.

That service has enabled us to respond during the past two years in what has been an unprecedented time where we saw the highest Guard activations since World War II. Whether it was supporting COVID-19 response efforts; maintaining or helping to restore peace during civil unrest; or responding in the aftermath of natural disasters—the history books will cite that we supported all those missions—in some cases, simultaneously—while we continued to train and deploy thousands of National Guard Soldiers for overseas missions.

Our primary mission is the combat mission. As the combat ready reserve of the Army and Air Force, the Guard’s operational capability and ability to deploy have never been stronger. We are certainly not the National Guard I enlisted into 35 years ago. We continue to modernize our equipment and adapt how we train and how we fight so we are prepared to meet future operational challenges anywhere around the world.

I am very proud that I was able to serve as the 12th Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard during these unprecedented times and that I am the first African American to serve in this position. It has been humbling, and an honor and distinct privilege, to serve and represent the men and women of the National Guard and their families for the last four years.

My Army career has taken me from being an enthusiastic private first class when I graduated from basic training and the Army’s Combat Tank Crewman Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to the highest enlisted rank and position in the Army National Guard. During my 35 years of service, I’ve held many different Soldier and leadership positions. I deployed overseas to Bosnia and twice to Iraq. During my 2005 combat tour in Iraq, I was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge. And in February 2003, I was part of the Texas Army National Guard leadership during the space shuttle Columbia search and rescue mission in east Texas.

Throughout my career, I was provided great leadership. Providing that same great leadership to the men and women of the Army Guard has always been my number one priority. My leadership style is grounded by my self-designed acronym, OATES— opportunity, accountability, transparency, education, and standards. Every Soldier deserves an opportunity, and every Soldier should be held accountable for his or her actions. We must be transparent in our leadership, and we need to educate ourselves to be the best we can be and maintain the standards.

Although challenging at times—especially balancing home life and a civilian career—my family and I have had an awesome time serving in the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army.

Our mission in the Army Guard cannot be accomplished without the support of loved ones, families, and civilian employers. To the families, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the employers, especially my own, I truly appreciate and am grateful for the loyal and dedicated support you have provided —thank you!

The national security of our nation and allied partners depends on the National Guard and the trust in the National Guard is higher than it has ever been before. You all have contributed to that trust with your unwavering support.

As I hang up my uniform and boots, I leave the National Guard with a challenge: I challenge every Soldier, Airmen and leader to ensure your unit has the highest readiness and is as responsive as it can be.

Be involved. If you see things in your section that could be improved, do your part to make it stronger. Every Soldier can inspire change. We are a strong force because we are well trained, well-educated, and able to adapt to change. Speak tactfully and thoughtfully, but directly. Ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

What we do to enable individuals and the unit to be successful after we’re gone is our legacy. We, as leaders, need to build a legacy. Privates and junior noncommissioned officers can also contribute to building that legacy. You should always ask the question, what can I do for those who come after me? Make sure you stay a strong Soldier while you are serving and even after your service is over. Each leader should provide selfless service through engaged leadership. As an NCO, it has always been my duty to ensure Soldiers were properly trained and informed.

These 35 years of service have certainly been an adventure for me and my family. We are a Soldier Family for Life. I am truly proud to be a longtime Texas Army National Guardsman and a Texas Highway Patrolman, serving the great men and women of the State of Texas and the United States of America! H

CSM JOHN F. SAMPA AND HIS WIFE CARLETTE. CSM Sampa is an NGAT and EANGUS Life Member. We appreciate his continued and unwavering support of all professional associations and wish him well!