A storied career comes to a close

By Maj. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs

FRANKFORT, Kentucky – “It’s always been a team effort…” remarked Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Hogan, Adjutant General of Kentucky, about his time in service.

For photos, click HERE. // video to the ceremony, click HERE.

Hogan’s 36 years of service draws to a close on Monday Dec. 9^th after serving as The Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard and Department of Military Affairs for the last four years. Affectionately referred to as ‘TAG,’ Hogan was sworn in by Gov. Matt Bevin on Dec. 8, 2015 and hit the ground running.

At the time, Hogan noted that he was already taking charge of an organization that was considered one of the best in the nation and the new TAG felt some pressure to maintain that status.

“Since my time in service, we’ve coalesced our team into a cohesive fighting unit,” remarked Hogan. “We’ve worked on professional development and getting back to the basics. As a result, we’re even stronger after four years and I know we’ve got a great team ready to accomplish the mission when that torch is passed.”

In his time in uniform, Hogan has served as an enlisted Soldier in the reserves, an active duty officer based out of Fort Campbell and a Kentucky National Guard Officer.

Hogan credits his favorite job in uniform to serving as the reconnaissance leader for the Kentucky Guard Drug Eradication Program.

“My time as the recon leader really fashioned me into who I’ve become as a leader. I felt I was a ‘good Soldier’ going into the unit in (19)’94 but when I got around those guys, I realized the level of competition had just been elevated. I had to get better and better and knew that to stand before the team, I had to perform at my very best.

I can say I improved as a Soldier and as a warrior four to five times over before that assignment ended. The strength of culture and a developed sense of what ‘right’ should look like was evident from the lowest ranking to my second-in-command. It was a self-correcting unit and that’s the ideal organization. That esprit-de-corps and level of excellence was what I wanted to bring to the all members of the Kentucky National Guard and I felt I accomplished some of that over these last 48 months.”

The Adjutant General did have some parting words as well for the force as he is transitioning out of the position.

“In all of DoD (Department of Defense), the National Guard is the most complicated mission set. The mastery of the fundamentals are key to successfully accomplishing the mission at hand. Do these well and the complicated stuff takes care of itself.

There are three priorities for success in this business: the Fight, the Mission Essential Tasks and Leadership. Be the Soldier or Airman that makes these happen. Guys that hate to lose, don’t generally lose.”