CSM John L. Hoxie Named Texas Army National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor

Command Sgt. Maj. John L. Hoxie, assumed responsibility
Command Sgt. Maj. John L. Hoxie, incoming Texas Army National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, addresses attendees at his change of responsibility ceremony held at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, Jan. 30, 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Malcolm McClendon).

Commentary by Michelle McBride

AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 4, 2015) – Command Sgt. Maj. John L. Hoxie, assumed responsibility as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Texas Army National Guard from Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Milford, Jan. 30, 2015, in a ceremony held at Camp Mabry in Austin.

During the ceremony Hoxie thanked his family for their many years of love, support and sacrifice. He also took time to thank the soldiers who make up the Texas Army National Guard.

"I want to thank all of the soldiers who made it here today," said Hoxie. "You have no idea how much you have influenced my career and helped me get to where I am."

Hoxie’s previous leadership positions include Squad Leader, Section Sergeant/Senior Scout, and Master Gunner. His awards include the Bronze Star w/V-Device, Meritorious Service Medal 4th award, Army Commendation Medal 5th award, Army Achievement Medal 3rd award, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Multi-Force and Observers Medal 2nd award, Combat Infantry Badge, Excellence in Competition Badge (Rifle), Omar Bradley Leadership Award Recipient, Order of St. George, as well as numerous other awards and decorations.

"I’ve taken on quite a bit in this position and I truly have some big shoes to fill," said Hoxie, speaking to Milford.

As the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Texas Army National Guard, Hoxie will advise the commander of the Texas Army National Guard on all enlisted matters affecting training, effective utilization, health of the force and enlisted professional development.

Friday, February 6, 2015 8:29:00 AM Categories: Blog

Marksmen compete in annual pistol match

Story By: Staff Sgt. Mindy Bloem

Posted: Feb 6.2015

Staff Sgt. Mindy Bloem Second Lt. Brian Street, 147th Civil Engineer Squadron assigned to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, checks his target at the Governor's 20 Pistol Match Jan. 24, 2015, at Camp Swift, Texas
Staff Sgt. Mindy Bloem
Second Lt. Brian Street, 147th Civil Engineer Squadron assigned to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, checks his target at the Governor's 20 Pistol Match Jan. 24, 2015, at Camp Swift, Texas

CAMP SWIFT, Texas - Sharpshooting Airmen, Soldiers and Texas State Guardsmen competed for a chance to be dubbed “best shot in the state” during the annual Adjutant General Governor’s 20 Pistol Match Jan. 23-25 at Camp Swift, Texas.

The top shooters from four separate competitions go on to comprise the team for the Governor’s 20. These shooters include the top eight in pistol, the top eight in rifle, the top two in machine gun, and the top two in sniper – 20 marksmen in all.

Because each team needs a certain amount of new shooters, Ellington Fields’s base marksmanship co-founder, 2nd Lt. Brian Street, said he’s always looking for fresh faces.

Street, who has now received both the pistol and machine gun tabs for finishing in the top percentile and is planning to compete in this year’s sniper and rifle competitions, encourages newcomers not to get discouraged their first time out.

“I thought I was a pretty good shot because I was coming off of active duty, and I always made expert,” said Street, recalling his first rifle match. “I got out here, and I got the humility beat into me. I didn't even finish some courses of fire. It was a train wreck through the whole weekend.”

Street has come a long way since that first self-proclaimed debacle in 2007 and asks those wanting to try it out to contact him.

One of this year’s newest recruits, Staff Sgt. Michael Oberts, a combat arms instructor assigned to the 147th Security Forces Squadron, decided to take full advantage of the opportunity. Besides wanting to see how he fared among the best in Texas, Oberts said that military members wanting to try their hand at sharpshooting just makes sense.

“As a member of the Armed Forces, you should be somewhat proficient with a weapon, seeing as you may have to use it to protect yourself and others or government property.”

Friday, February 6, 2015 8:25:00 AM Categories: Texas Army National Guard