World’s Most Dangerous Era Since WWII, Says Alabama National Guard Leader
In a significant change of command ceremony held on Friday, January 5, Brigadier General David Pritchett, a native of Alabama and Auburn University graduate, officially took the reins as the new adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard. This transition marked the end of Major General Sheryl Gordon’s more than six years of service in the same role, as she officially retired.
General Pritchett, who commenced his military career with the Marine Corps in 1988, returns to his home state after serving as the director of the Joint Staff of the Wyoming National Guard and as a deputy commanding general for field artillery at the Fires Center for Excellence at Fort Sill.
The change of command ceremony, held in Montgomery, drew the attention of hundreds of National Guard members, former servicemen, public officials, and other attendees. The event showcased the symbolic passing of leadership responsibilities through flag presentations, involving General Pritchett, Governor Kay Ivey, and outgoing General Sheryl Gordon.
Governor Ivey, in her capacity as the commander in chief of the National Guard, appointed General Gordon as adjutant general in 2017. The announcement of General Pritchett as her successor came following General Gordon’s retirement announcement in November.
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In his address during the ceremony, General Pritchett touched upon the challenges the United States faces in dealing with global dynamics, specifically mentioning concerns related to China, Russia, and the growing instability in the Middle East. He emphasized the need for readiness among the approximately 12,000 soldiers and airmen in the Alabama National Guard.
“We live in a very dangerous world,” General Pritchett stated, highlighting the unprecedented scale of global challenges. He underscored his commitment to ensuring that the National Guard members are well-trained and equipped to respond effectively to domestic operations or overseas deployments.
Additionally, General Pritchett acknowledged the strength of the Alabama National Guard in recruiting but pointed out the need for additional force structure. He explained that the current strength exceeds the available spots, indicating a need for more units to accommodate the surplus soldiers.
Governor Ivey expressed her gratitude to the men and women of the National Guard and their families, emphasizing their integral role in the United States military mission readiness. General Gordon, during her retirement remarks, referred to the National Guard as a “family” and celebrated the appointment of General Pritchett as a fantastic new leader for the organization.
General Gordon, the first woman to serve as adjutant general for the Alabama National Guard, highlighted her pride in fostering a closer working relationship between the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard during her tenure. She also noted the expansion of partnerships, such as the one with Romania, which has evolved beyond military exchanges to include collaboration in civilian and educational sectors.
As General Pritchett assumes this critical leadership role, the focus remains on maintaining the high standards set by his predecessor, fostering family-like unity within the National Guard, and ensuring readiness in the face of evolving global challenges. The ceremony symbolized not only a change in leadership but also a continuation of the Guard’s commitment to service and excellence.
