Missouri Guard's Assistant Adjutant General Promoted to Brigadier General

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard's assistant adjutant general was promoted to the rank of brigadier general this week at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

Gregory Mason now wears one star on his rank insignia, a rank that he holds because of his hard work and dedication in the United States military since he began his career in 1974 as a military policeman, said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.

"Brig. Gen. Mason epitomizes the Citizen-Soldier who brings a civilian skill that is so important to our work," Danner said. "Whether it's his work in the military as a military policeman or his work as a task force commander on state emergency duty missions, Brig. Gen. Mason is out there in the communities helping our state and our families."

Col. Gary Gilmore, the state chaplain, reflected on times he has served with the new general. They deployed together in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007 to 2008.

"You're being made a general today because of your spirit," Gilmore said to Mason. "The character you bring to the wearing of a star is what will communicate the authority you use in your position, and that is going to make all the difference in the world. We are looking at you, as well as our other senior leaders, to model and personify for us the Army values."

During the ceremony, a general officer flag was presented to Mason. General officer flags are used to signify the presence of a general officer. This flags signifies the presence of a brigadier general and will be present at
all official military functions attended by Mason and will be on display in his office.

"What a great day," Mason said. "This has been a long time coming. I look out at the audience and I am really, truly honored by everyone that came out today. And I am very thankful to my leadership for selecting me for this position."

Mason credits his leadership and noncommissioned officers he has worked with for his success within the organization.

"No officer achieves any success without great NCOs," Mason said. "For the
NCO corps here, thank you very much for everything that you have done."

Serving as the assistant adjutant general, Mason supports the adjutant general in the formulation, development, and implementation of all programs and policies in the Missouri Army National Guard. Mason has held this position since February, 2011. Mason has held numerous other positions
throughout the Missouri Guard in his career. Some of which include the counterdrug coordinator, the recruiting and retention manager, a counter-intelligence officer, and an officer candidate school instructor.

Most recently, Mason has served as task force commander for two state emergency duties. Mason served in northwest Missouri in support of flooding along the Missouri River in the summer of 2011. Mason is also serving as task force commander for the Missouri National Guard's tornado response efforts in Branson, Mo.

In addition to his military duties, Mason is a retired state trooper from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Several of his Highway Patrol colleagues were present at his promotion.

Mason's wife, Carla, joined him at the ceremony.

Mason's military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star device.