Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Staff Report
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Col. Steven King is promoted to the rank of brigadier general by his wife, Becky and the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Hogan during a ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 6, 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ben Crane)
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Guardsmen and employees of Boone National Guard Center joined the family of Col. Steven T. King to celebrate King’s promotion to the rank of brigadier general in Frankfort, Sept. 6.
To view all photos from this event, please click HERE.
King, the Kentucky National Guard’s Construction and Facilities Management Officer (FMO) was pinned by his wife, Becky, his son, Benson, and Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Hogan during the ceremony in front a large gathering at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Boone Center.
"With every opportunity comes an aspiration to make a great contribution," King said. "As grateful as I am to receive this distinction, I recognize that this day is not just about me, it's about every single person that has helped me get to this point."
With his new rank, King will take on the responsibility of deputy division commander of the 38
th Infantry Division out of Indianapolis, Indiana. He will serve in that role in the traditional part-time Guard status while maintaining his full-time federal technician position as the FMO.
"It's an honor to promote such a Soldier," said Hogan. "This organization has benefited from his 34 years of professionalism. He has never faltered after being assigned a mission and exemplifies the word leader."
King thanked numerous friends and mentors, many of which were in the crowd before him.
"I recognize today that I am truly standing on the shoulders of so many others," he said. "The men and women I've served alongside with have been an inspiration to me throughout my career."
King recalled past missions serving with Soldiers in overseas combat zones and at home in disaster response operations. He acknowledged his expanded role in leading Soldiers and stressed his commitment to being a general officer in the Kentucky Guard.
"Our business is to train and equip Service members and be as ready as we can be for the mission at hand."
"I'll keep three goals in mind; To leave the organization better than I found it, improve on past success and to always grow stronger and more resilient. That is our desire as Soldiers and leaders, and it is that desire I will take into this next chapter."
King has spent the last 34 years in the Kentucky National Guard, enlisting as a private first class in 1984. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education and Technology, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1988. King also earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kentucky and is a graduate of the United States Army War College with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.
Leadership positions King has held include commands from the platoon level to the brigade level, most recently serving simultaneously as the FMO and as the Garrison Training Center Commander of the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. Prior to that King deployed and served in a dual-role within the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command serving as the J7 under the Deputy Commander for Support Operations and as the Infrastructure Training and Advisory Group Chief. Other assignments include, Executive Officer, 75
th Troop Command; Battalion Commander, 201
st Engineer Battalion; Battalion Operations Officer, 201
st (Operation Noble Eagle II); Battalion Executive Officer, 201
st; Assistant Brigade Operations Officer, 75
th Troop Command; Battalion S2, Engineer Staff Officer, 67th Infantry Brigade, Company Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Platoon Leader.