U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Sicard relinquished responsibility as the Connecticut National Guard’s State Command Senior Enlisted Leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Fredericks during a ceremony at Camp Nett, Niantic, Connecticut May 7, 2023.

This change of responsibility ceremony also marked the end of Sicard’s military career as he is set to retire after more than forty years of dedicated service to his state and nation.

“In an ever more complex, ambiguous, and inflammable world, the command senior enlisted leader of today and tomorrow needs to understand these connected variables that commanders and units face across all domains,” said Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant general for the Connecticut National Guard. “Thanks to Roger, he was instrumental in building that understanding in the minds of these young Soldiers and Airmen to succeed in complex and ambiguous situations, while reminding officers to trust the ‘mission command’ philosophy and empower their subordinates to come with game-changing solutions.”

Sicard enlisted in the Connecticut National Guard on February 28, 1980, as an infantryman, completing One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Later, he was also awarded the Combat Engineer and Automated Logistics Military Occupational Specialties. Sicard deployed in support of overseas operations to both Boznia-Herzegovina and Iraq and domestically for multiple counter-drug operations, storm relief, and the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Fredericks enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 20, 1988, as an infantryman assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He joined the Connecticut National Guard following the completion of his initial entry contract as a member of the 102nd Infantry Battalion. His operational deployment experience includes support of Operation Noble Eagle, in the direct aftermath of 9-11, and a tour to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Following the ceremony, family, friends, and fellow guardsmen gathered at Camp Nett’s The Point to thank Sicard for his service and welcome Fredericks into his new role.