TOPEKA, Kansas - Command Sgt. Maj. Scott W. Haworth will take responsibility as the State Command Sergeant Major for the Kansas National Guard in a Change of Authority ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 5. The 3 p.m. ceremony will be held in Topeka, Kan., at Nickell Armory, 2722 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Haworth will take responsibility as the State Command Sergeant Major in honor of retiring Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen C. Rodina.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Rodina has served honorably and distinguished himself as a superior leader and soldier in the Kansas National Guard and it has been my honor to serve with him and witness his many accomplishments,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting. “He has a long and distinguished career in the military including service to his country in Vietnam, and I thank him for all he has done for the Kansas National Guard.”

“I’m honored to have Command Sgt. Maj. Haworth step into this critical role and know he will do an excellent job,” Bunting said

The state command sergeant major is the senior enlisted leader and advisor to the adjutant general and the Joint Forces Headquarters for all of the administrative, training, morale and welfare matters of all enlisted soldiers, airmen and their families. He has oversight of promotion boards and recommends senior noncommissioned officers for positions of greater responsibility. The state command sergeant major regularly visits soldiers and airmen in their operational environment in the state and operational areas overseas and combat theaters. He interacts and meets regularly with the senior enlisted leaders of the National Guard Bureau and other military organizations. He mentors and advises the senior enlisted leaders of the Kansas National Guard.

"I feel extremely fortunate and greatly honored to have selected for this position," said Haworth. "I am excited and ready to serve the soldiers and airmen of the Kansas National Guard as their new senior enlisted leader."

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the senior enlisted leader of the Kansas National Guard for the last nine years,” said Rodina. “I thank former Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Greg Gardner and current Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting for giving me the opportunity to lead the greatest soldiers and airmen in the world. I thank my warriors, peers and leaders for their support.”

“9-11 changed forever how the U.S. and Kansas National Guard does business, changing from a strategic reserve to an operational force,” Rodina said. “We continue to deploy all over the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and serve our neighbors in national and state disasters, all while transitioning into a modern fighting force. Our warriors are true Citizen Soldier professionals dedicated to accomplishing the mission with honor wherever they are ordered to serve.”

“My thoughts will always be with the 10 great Kansas Soldiers and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Rodina added. “Any honors that may come my way as I retire, I accept as a tribute to them in their memory, for they are the true heroes. For my comrades who continue to serve, I say ‘Carry on, and may your canteens always be full.’”