New Mexico Minuteman - Summer 2011 - Keep Trees

CSM retires after 39 years of service
By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ
With 39 years of service, former State
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Bryant retired
from the New Mexico National Guard April
1, 2011.
Bryant joined the New Mexico National
Guard in February 1972. He began his
career as a mechanic with Detachment 1,
Battery A., 4th Battalion, 200th ADA in Clayton,
N.M. Since joining the Guard Bryant
has held various positions to include platoon
sergeant, fi rst sergeant, PAC supervisor,
SIDPERS NCOIC, personnel sergeant
major, 93rd Brigade command sergeant
major, and state command sergeant major.
Bryant fi nished his career as the recruiting
and retention command sergeant major.
“When you work full time in the Guard
you get a chance to get a lot of MOSs and
work in different areas,” said Bryant.
After working in numerous positions,
Bryant said the highlight to his career was
becoming the state command sergeant
major and working as the military personnel
sergeant major (the fi rst enlisted full
time military personnel manager).
“That’s where the Soldiers are,” said
Bryant. “That’s where you have the most
impact on Soldiers’ careers. You have the
insight on issues that need to be fi xed and
the opportunity to help fi x those issues.”
Even though he is retired now, Bryant is
still helping Soldiers with issues, except now
they are education issues. Shortly after retiring,
Bryant was hired to work as the tuition
assistance manager in the education offi ce.
“It’s been easy to transition because
I’m still here working with Soldiers,” said
Bryant. “But I wore the uniform for 39 years
and it’s diffi cult to put it up.”
Bryant’s wife, Liz Bryant who is also
a command sergeant major in the New
Mexico National Guard, said that even
though she is extremely proud of her husband’s
accomplishments, his retirement
has been bittersweet.
“Sweet in the sense that he made it to
the highest NCO position in our Guard,
and had the opportunity to truly make a
difference with our Soldiers,” said Liz. “It’s
been bitter in the sense that after so many
years of serving and wearing the uniform,
it becomes so much a part of a person. He
lived it to the fullest. He has always been
a Soldier’s ‘Soldier’ fi rst and foremost and
that makes it hard to leave the military.”
And although Bryant still won’t be getting
anything done at home, Liz said it’s ok
because he still serving Soldiers and additionally
is there for mentorship.
“He gave 39 years to the Guard and
he is still passionate and motivated,” she
said. “He loves the Guard; he has given
his whole life to the Guard. I have seen him
take phone calls in the middle of the night,
or go out on the weekends to someone’s
house because they need help. He is a
remarkable man, NCO, and spouse.”
But like any person, Bryant was faced
with trials. In 2007 he was diagnosed
with stage 4 cancer. After three months
of chemo and radiation treatments, plus
an esophagectomy, he survived his battle
with cancer.
“When he was battling cancer, he never
missed a beat,” said Liz. “Most individuals
can’t do that. It shows true resiliency and
drive to beat the odds. He came to work
every day – and never allowed himself to
just stay home and stay in bed.”
Last October, the Bryant family was yet
again faced with another challenge. The
Bryants’ younger son James, who serves
with the 101st Airborne Division, “Strike
Force,” Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was
injured in Afghanistan by an improvised
explosive device and according to Liz, it
was Bryant that keep the family together
during that diffi cult time.
“We did not know what to expect when
we fl ew out to Brook Army Medical Center.
Richard saw James fi rst and prepared us
all for what we were faced with,” said Liz.
The Bryants said it was an emotional
time for their family. Not only did James
come home, but their older son Johnathan
who was serving in Iraq at the time of
James’ injury also came home. Johnathan
was allowed to escort his brother home
from Landstul, Germany. They said it
was a good feeling having both their sons
home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It takes a strong individual in faith and
a positive attitude to hold a family together.
He has been the foundation for our family;
he never lets us quit and helps us see just
how lucky we truly are.”
Liz said no matter what Bryant was going
through he always said, “Dig deep, don’t
quit, and have faith.”
“James saw that his whole life. He
learned that resilience from an early age
from Richard and our family truly believes
that is why James is doing so well. He has
a good outlook toward life and is able to
deal with his injury and now, his disabilities.
His success is because of his dad.”
During Bryant’s retirement dinner, his
daughters Rebecca and Sarah said they are
also very proud of their dad. They both said
they never truly realized how special their
dad was. Nor did they realize just how much
the Guard meant to him his whole career.
“The girls have done very well because
of their dad’s love and patience. They also
learned positivity, drive and diligence at an
early age” said Liz.
“Patience,” Bryant says is the key to a
successful career.
“You work hard, have patience, and
give it your best and it will pay off. Also,
keep your Army Values, live by them and
you can’t go wrong.”
Equally important, Bryant said that
having a supportive family is also crucial to
a successful career.
“Liz is my biggest supporter. When
you’re dual members you both know
the Guard and what it requires. She was
always there when there were any doubts
or when I needed anything. She still is. It
makes a difference when you have that
support,” said Bryant.
So what does someone do after serving
39 years in the military? According to
Bryant; do some fi shing.
“I got new fi shing equipment for my
retirement so I want to take some time to
get to use it. I have a little more time to do
work around the house and spend time
with my grandkids,” said Bryant.
Summer 2011 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 19