Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Matthew Harris, of Petersburg, Illinois, was promoted to Master Sergeant Sept. 16 at the Illinois State Military Museum, Springfield, Illinois.
"The master sergeant rank is like the shell of the pie. What you fill it up with is up to you," said Col. Ron Bonesz, Military Personnel Officer, Illinois Army National Guard. "I have no doubt if you keep going as you are, we will see a diamond and then a wreath and star in your future."
Harris enlisted in the ILARNG in 2000 as a Chemical Operations Specialist in the 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield. He entered the Active Guard and Reserve program in 2009 as the Readiness Non-commissioned Officer for Company N, Recruit Sustainment Program, Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
"I am excited to see what you can do. You have done a great job and I look forward to seeing your efforts over the next few years," Bonesz said.
Harris, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Automation and Automated Records Branch, thanked friends and family for their support during his military service.
"To my wife and kids, thank you for being there the past 21 years," Harris said. "Many of you here today have been my mentors."
Harris said he looks forward to all the things the AARB will accomplish the next few years.
"The human to human contact of this job is what keeps me coming to work each day," Harris said.