Changing of the Guard

Published 8:40 am Thursday, September 24, 2009

Retiring Michigan National Guard Command Sgt Maj. Kenneth Slee congratulates his replacement, Sgt. Maj. Delbert P. Husband of Okemos. (The Daily News/Provided)

Retiring Michigan National Guard Command Sgt Maj. Kenneth Slee congratulates his replacement, Sgt. Maj. Delbert P. Husband of Okemos. (The Daily News/Provided)

LANSING –  Okemos resident Command Sgt. Maj. Delbert P. Husband was announced Wednesday as the ninth state command sergeant major of the Michigan National Guard.

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 sergeant major 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 sergeant major and senior enlisted advisor to the adjutant general.

Husband is a graduate of Lansing Everett High School, the U.S. 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 and the 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.