Following the approval of Gov. Nathan Deal, Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, nominated Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Carden, assistant adjutant general – Army of the Georgia Department of Defense and commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, to serve as Deputy Commander of the Multinational Division Southeast. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved the nomination and Brig. Gen. Carden will serve in the position effective Oct. 1.
 
“Brig. Gen. Carden’s service to the State of Georgia and our nation has been exemplary and it is no surprise that our national military leadership has recognized his outstanding abilities,” said Deal. “I am confident his leadership will continue to benefit our total force as well as the efforts of our NATO allies going forward.”
 
“Brig. Gen. Carden is one of the finest officers with whom I have had the honor and pleasure to serve,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Jarrard, adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard. “We will miss his untiring energy and servant leadership but wish him the best in this critical assignment.”
 
Following the nomination, Deal will appoint Col. (Promotable) Randall Simmons to fill the assistant adjutant general - Army position. Simmons has served as the chief of staff of the Georgia Army National Guard for almost three years and previously commanded the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in its last deployment to Afghanistan in 2013-2014.
 
“Col. Randall Simmons is a proven leader both here in Georgia and overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Deal. “With his significant experience, Col. Simmons is well-prepared to be an assistant adjutant general and the commander of the Georgia Army National Guard and I wish him great success in his new role.”
 
“Col. Simmons is an exceptional leader who is very well respected not only within Georgia, but throughout the Army,” said Jarrard. “I am very confident that under his leadership, the Georgia Army National Guard will continue to set the standard for readiness and maintain our outstanding reputation.”