New York National Guard Office of the Adjutant General

Our Military Forces Always Meet the Challenge

Command Message By Command Sgt. Major Leylan Jones,
NY National Guard Command Sergeant Major

After 28 years in uniform, I am honored to take on the role of command sergeant major for the New York Army National Guard.

The role of the state command sergeant major is not about the rank or position; it is about responsibility and commitment to the welfare and readiness of the enlisted force.

I have experience that spans both operational deployments and stateside missions. I have served in leadership positions from the squad level to battalion and brigade level commands.

I believe I have a clear understanding of what it takes to build cohesive, effective units in today’s dynamic military environment.

I plan to focus on strengthening the non-commissioned officer corps, retention and recruitment of our most valuable asset-- our Soldiers-- and the professional development and quality of life of our force.

We can do this by professional NCO leadership. This means setting and enforcing standards, enhancing our leadership development programs, increasing communication with junior Soldiers-- in person and through electronic means-- and reinforcing integrity and discipline in our day-to-day actions.

I believe our leaders are the main reason Soldiers want to come to our organization and end up staying in our organization.

As we continue to build and strengthen our NCO leaders, they will become the future of our organization.

Modern leadership requires mentorship, talent management, and succession planning.

Leaders who are engaged, informed and invested in their Soldiers improve performance and decrease disciplinary issues. This environment creates a culture where leaders lead, standards matter, and Soldiers believe in one another.

As leaders, we must communicate clearly, consistently, and credibly.

As our force adapts to evolving missions and modern challenges, we must be ready to change also.

Aligning our priorities with the Army’s transformative process is key to producing a ready force.

We will listen to our Soldiers and identify strengths and challenges and work to position them to be better Soldiers and contributors to our communities.

But the National Guard continues to balance its dual mission: standing ready to respond at home to emergencies and natural disasters, while also maintaining combat readiness for federal deployments.

This constant balancing act requires leaders who not only understand doctrine and discipline but who also possess adaptability, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to taking care of people.

Modern conflicts are no longer fought solely on land—they extend across cyber, space, air, maritime, and information domains.

Our leaders must ensure their units are trained, equipped, and mentally prepared to operate in these environments.

This means embracing joint training, leveraging technology, and prioritizing realistic, scenario-based exercises that test adaptability and problem-solving.

Leaders must invest in developing junior leaders and be prepared to lead in uncertain and complex environments.

Professional military education, cross-functional experiences, and leader development programs are key tools in this effort.

Focusing on the readiness of our force is not just about the numbers. It is about ensuring our Soldiers are prepared to answer for any mission, in combat or in support of our state or their communities.

Engaged leaders are key to preparing our Soldiers. Leaders should emphasize development, training, counseling and enforcing standards.

I believe discipline is about clarity. Soldiers must know what is expected of them and understand the why behind those expectations.

I expect leaders to be fair and consistent when addressing issues, correcting behavior and most importantly, rewarding excellence.

This consistency will create trust within our organization.

I plan to lead, listen and advocate for our Soldiers. I will be visible, approachable and mission focused. I plan to get to know our Soldiers, develop them and stand beside them when duty calls.

I understand the importance of leading by example.

I will strive to be the leader who knows your name, knows your story, and knows what drives you.

I am committed to addressing challenges head-on, remaining approachable and holding high standards.

I look forward to this new role and am excited to get out on the road and hear and learn about all the outstanding things our New York force is doing.

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