CAMP DENALI, Alaska - An Alaska Army National Guard member and former senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau retired today after serving his state and nation for 38 years.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. David Hudson began his career by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1973. After serving five years in the Air Force, Hudson transferred into the Air Force Reserve where he logged more than 3,200 hours as an aerial weather observer on WC-130 aircraft.
In 1984, while living in Nome, Alaska, Hudson followed his wife's footsteps and transferred from the Air Force Reserve to the Alaska Army National Guard and never looked back.
"I joined...as an infantry Soldier," Hudson said. "Our battalions were phenomenal in the early '80s, and it was a great opportunity for us to continue our service in the Alaska Army National Guard."
He continued to move up the ranks in the Alaska Army Guard, holding all leadership positions in the noncommissioned officer corps through state command sergeant major.
In 2006, Hudson was selected as the second ever senior enlisted advisor for the chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"It was a dream come true," Hudson said. "I never expected any of it as a traditional [Army Guard] Soldier. Moving from the state command sergeant major job to the national level was a big change, but it was great to serve the Guard at the strategic level."
Hudson said that his greatest honor and privilege was representing the 457,000 men and women who serve in the National Guard. He added that he had a great time, having the opportunity to visit Guard members in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Djibouti.
"I travelled around the world visiting our Soldiers and Airmen," Hudson said. "I traveled to every combat zone, went on patrols in Iraq and Kosovo and even got to fly to the South Pole with the New York Air National Guard. It was a wonderful opportunity. There was nothing better than to go somewhere and have young Soldiers and Airmen show me what they did with pride."
Hudson finished his tour at the NGB in 2009, before serving out his final days in the Alaska National Guard as special assistant to the adjutant general. Having also served more than 20 years in law enforcement with the Alaska State Troopers, Hudson who now lives in Elmo, Va., said he'll miss the camaraderie the most.
"I've had amazing experiences in the National Guard," he said. "I ate dinner with the president of Serbia, lunch with the crown prince of Jordan, spent time with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., and was the first senior enlisted leader under a four-star National Guard officer, but it's the people in the National Guard who I'll miss serving with and sharing experiences with every day. They are truly amazing and should be very proud of the organization they have chosen to join."
Hudson also leaves behind a legacy that will not be easily filled.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Hudson has been a phenomenal leader and great representative of the Alaska National Guard at the highest level," said Army Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard. "As a law enforcement professional, military leader, and professional Soldier, he has mentored thousands of our young Soldiers and Airmen with integrity and honor. His dedication, loyalty, and accomplishments speak to how great of a man he is and will serve him well in his future endeavors."