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After A Half Century of Service, Georgia Command Sergeant Major Will ‘Stack Arms’

After 48 years of service to his State and his Country, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Patrick O’Leary of The Georgia State Defense Force has decided to retire. “After 48 years, I’m ‘stacking arms,’ said The CSM.

The Command Sergeant Major started his career decades ago starting in The United States Army. He reported for his Basic Training at Fort Polk, then reported for combat duty in Vietnam where he served with The 1st Signal Brigade. Following his deployment to Vietnam, CSM O’Leary climbed the ladder during his Army career until 1991 where he retired at the top rank of Command Sergeant Major. However after a few years he wanted to get back into uniform, so he joined The Georgia State Defense Force. And over the next twenty two years he continued servicing both his State and Country.

The Georgia State Defense Force has an indepth article on The Command Sergeant Major’s career:

GSDF Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary Retires After 48 Years in Uniform

 

Compiled from a GSDF Retirement Ceremony Program, GSDF Records, and Interviews with the Public Affairs Office

 

GSDF Photo_CSM Patrick O'Leary_51808699809_62802bb5e9_o (1)

Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary retired as Command Sergeant Major of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), November 5, 2022, after spending 48 years in uniform.

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary is a U.S. Army veteran. He served 26 years and 7 months in the Army.

In 2000, he joined the GSDF. He served 22 years in the GSDF.

During a retirement ceremony at the Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood Ga., Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary received the prestigious James Edward Oglethorpe Award, along with numerous gifts and certificates.

“It was my honor to be part of a great Soldier’s career and retirement,” said GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr. “CSM O’Leary was an outstanding senior noncommissioned officer and my right-hand Senior NCO for several years.  CSM O’Leary’s well-deserved retirement—after so many years in uniform, both on active duty, as a Vietnam War veteran, and as the CSM of the Georgia State Defense Force—is a career that all should look at and want to emulate. CSM O’Leary is a true professional soldier who has led the way for all of us and has set standards that we should all try to meet.”

 

Command Sgt. Maj. O'Leary earlier in his military career.

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary earlier in his military career.

U.S. Army Service

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary completed basic training at Ft. Polk, LA. During his military career, he served in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, and Washington, D.C. He also served at Ft. Campbell, KY and Ft. Gordon, GA.

He held various positions, including Command Sergeant Major of the 38th Signal Battalion. He retired from the U.S. Army on May 31, 1991.

 

GSDF Service

In December 2000, he joined the GSDF as a command sergeant major, serving as the senior noncommissioned officer in the G-3.

While in the GSDF, he has participated in every GSDF annual training and every GSDF change of command ceremony.

Retired Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. (Ret) E. H. “Rusty” Hightower congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary (right), upon his retirement, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga., November 5, 2022. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Spc. Taryn Evans

Retired Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. E. H. “Rusty” Hightower congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary (right) on his retirement, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga., Nov. 5, 2022. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Spc. Taryn Evans

“He’s a true example of an outstanding NCO,” said retired Brig. Gen. Lou Coroso, former GSDF Deputy Commanding General. “It was a privilege to serve with him in the GSDF for over 20 years.”

In addition, Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary supported the headquarters Soldier of the Year (SOY) competition. As GSDF Command Sergeant Major, he chaired every SOY board.

“You certainly had to know your stuff because Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary could smell nonsense a mile away, and he would call you out on it,” said retired Sgt. 1st Class Kara Kirby, the only GSDF Soldier known to have been selected for both Soldier of the Year and Noncommissioned Soldier of the Year awards.

 

 

Service Runs in His Family

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary is among four generations of his family to have served in the military. His grandfather served in the Philippine American War (1900-1901), with 35th Volunteer Infantry Regiment. His father served in World War II, surviving the Bataan Death March. His eldest son retired from the U.S. Air Force, having served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

His brother is a U.S. Navy veteran, who served in the Lebanon campaign. His sister served 8 years in the U.S. Navy.

 

Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick in his office, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga.,

Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary in his office prior to his retirement, Ellenwood, Ga. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Capt. Beverly Shepard

A Career Well Spent

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary’s service will long be remembered.

“After 48 years, I’m ‘stacking arms,’” he said, using a military reference to describe his retirement.

Command Sergeant Major of the Georgia Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Marks joined GSDF Soldiers and guests for the ceremony.

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary was born in Manila, Philippines. He and his wife, also from Manila, were married in 1964. They have four children.

 

 

 

Georgia State Defense Force troops stand in formation during a retirement ceremony for Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Command Sgt. Maj Patrick O’Leary. Center: GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr. congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga., Nov. 5, 2022.

 

Command Sergeant Major of the Georgia Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Marks congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary on his retirement from the Georgia State Defense Force, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga., November 5, 2022. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Spc. Taryn Evans

Georgia State Defense Force Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O'Leary retired as GSDF Command Sergeant Major. His U.S. Army and GSDF service spanned 48 years. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Spc. Taryn Evans

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary retires as GSDF Command Sergeant Major, Nov. 5, 2022. Together, his U.S. Army and GSDF service spanned 48 years. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Spc. Taryn Evans

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O'Leary retires as GSDF Command Sergeant Major. His U.S. Army and GSDF service spanned 48 years. Georgia State Defense Force Photo by Capt. Beverly Shepard

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary retires as GSDF Command Sergeant Major, Nov. 5, 2022. Together, his U.S. Army and GSDF service spanned 48 years. Georgia State Defense Force Photo by Capt. Beverly Shepard

 

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Bayne, incoming GSDF Command Sergeant Major, congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary (right), upon his retirement, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga., November 5, 2022.

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Bayne, incoming GSDF Command Sergeant Major, congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary (right), on his retirement, Ellenwood Readiness Center, Ellenwood, Ga., Nov. 5, 2022. Georgia State Defense Force photo

 

Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O'Leary during his retirement ceremony. Georgia State Defense Fore photo by Capt. Beverly Shepard

Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary (center) during his retirement ceremony, Nov. 5, 2022. Georgia State Defense Force photo

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers signed this keepsake banner for retiring Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O'Leary. He retired from the GSDF on Nov. 5, 2022, Ellenwood, Ga.

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers signed this keepsake banner for retiring Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick O’Leary. He retired from the GSDF on Nov. 5, 2022, Ellenwood, Ga.


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