Commentary courtesy of the Texas Military Forces

AUSTIN, Texas (May 17, 2014) - Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Clyde Worrell, the former State Command Sgt. Maj., Texas Army National Guard, was inducted into the Texas Military Forces’ Hall of Honor during a ceremony held at Camp Mabry, in Austin, May 17, 2014.

Located inside the TXMF Museum, at Camp Mabry, the Hall of Honor was created as a permanent tribute to recognize TXMF members who have made lasting contributions of an outstanding nature to the organization. Induction into the Hall of Honor is the highest form of recognition that may be bestowed upon an individual and is widely recognized as a crowning achievement of a distinguished career.

Worrell, who served his state and nation with honor and distinction for more than 40 years, beginning in 1965, was one of four honored during the induction ceremony.

He made an extraordinary and positive difference in the continual transformation of the TXMF by instituting a promotion process in Texas establishing noncommissioned officer promotion boards at the battalion, brigade, division and state level for different ranks, producing a more professional NCO corps promoted on the basis of stringent qualifications and performance.  

Worrell changed the outlook and focus of the organization by instituting a requirement for NCO education to be tied to rank progression, and lobbied successfully at the national level for the creation of Guard/Reserve-friendly course offerings to be completed locally and during drill periods.  

He also shaped the organizational environment for the future by implementing a National Guard Bureau requirement to select, train, promote and assign enlisted personnel through  statewide implementation of meetings and processes designed to make the requirement Texas-specific and soldier-friendly, producing a generation of trained and ready NCO leadership. 

 His contributions created the framework of a professional NCO corps in Texas that has excelled in garrison and in combat.

“This is a great day for the Texas National Guard,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. John F.  Nichols, the Adjutant General of Texas, recognizing the honorees. “You give service the definition of what it means to be free.”