Local man selected for National Guard post

Matt Jenkins of Cape Gir-ardeau was recently selected as the new state command sergeant major of the Missouri National Guard, making him the ranking enlisted soldier in the organization. Jenkins was born and raised in Cape Girardeau. His wife, Susan, is originally from Perryville, Mo. Their children, Katie and Cole, both attend Southeast Missouri State University. Jenkins' entire military career has been with the Missouri National Guard. He enlisted in the Guard in 1978 as a mechanic with the 1140th Engineer Battalion in Cape Girardeau. In 1984, he was hired as a unit clerk for the 1140th. Jenkins said that throughout his career, he viewed each job he's taken on as an opportunity to acquire and master new skills. "I've never viewed a new job as a step up the ladder, but each job as a ladder itself. I've viewed them as new challenges and new learning experiences."

-- From staff reports