01/02/2026
JFHQ WELCOMES NEW FIRST SERGEANT AUSTIN SMITH:
An information technology-savvy Soldier on the Nevada Army Guard’s cyberspace operations team, Austin Smith, added to his impressive list of responsibilities today as he became the Joint Force Headquarters’ first sergeant during a ceremony today at the Office of the Adjutant General in Carson City. Smith succeeded 1st Sgt. Dan Rogers, who is set to retire this month.
Land Component Command Brig. Gen. Randy Lau and Army Guard Chief of Staff Col. Karsten Hall – both JFHQ Soldiers – were in attendance to welcome the unit’s new first sergeant.
After 12 years of association with the 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Smith transferred to JFHQ in 2020 to join the Defensive Cyber Operations Element. His position within JFHQ before his promotion was Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the G6 (Communications and Information Technology) section and technical team lead in support of cyberspace operations.
As first sergeant, Smith is now responsible for the training, professional development, discipline and welfare of the approximately 170 Soldiers in JFHQ. The unit’s overarching mission is to provide personnel, logistical and training support to the state’s Soldiers, especially those set to deploy.
The new first sergeant said readiness within JFHQ was just as important as assisting Soldiers preparing for international and domestic missions.
“Readiness will always be the biggest priority in the unit,” Smith said. “Whatever the Governor, Adjutant General or Land Component Commander says JFHQ needs to do, we’re going to be ready and prepared to accomplish those tasks.”
In his civilian occupation, Smith is the information security officer for the Washoe County School District.
Smith, 35, grew up in Northern Nevada and graduated from Galena High in Reno in 2008. That same year, he enlisted in the Nevada Army Guard and joined Company C, 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion as a 25Q Multi-Channel Systems Operator Maintainer. Smith deployed to Afghanistan with the unit from March 2011 to January 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He primarily worked at the Kandahar Area Hub Node, the central control center for all communications in Regional Command South.
After the deployment concluded, Smith returned to Company C as a Tactical Satellite Team Chief.
In 2014, Smith joined the Active Guard and Reserve program as the Network NCO for the 422d ESB. He served as the COMSEC Account Manager and primary tactical network planner in support of battalion operations. During his tenure as the Network NCO, he supported 422nd battalion mobilizations including Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa and Operation Inherent Resolve 2016. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2014.
In 2017, Smith became the first Nevada Army Guard student to graduate from the Army's 25D Cyber Network Defender course conducted at Fort Gordon.
Smith transitioned into a civilian cybersecurity career in 2018 and subsequently graduated from Western Governors’ University in 2019.
Smith said that – although his IT acumen may help the unit in certain situations – the unit’s Soldiers will ultimately have to rely on old fashioned teamwork.
“I think we can look to technology to assist in resolving some unit issues,” Smith said. “But it’s not going to solve everything; the unit’s Soldiers need to continue working closely together and cooperatively refining processes.”
Smith is married to Erin Smith and they have a son, Oliver, 6, and daughter Emerson, 4. The family resides in Reno.
Rogers had succeeded now-retired 1st Sgt. Ron Seagraves in the summer of 2024. On his last day in a U.S. Army uniform, Rogers said his stint as JFHQ’s first sergeant was a highlight of his career.
“It has been the honor of lifetime to serve as the first sergeant of this exceptional Joint Force Headquarters unit,” Rogers said. “To every single Soldier I’ve had the privilege of interacting with: Thank you! My development is a direct result of our time together, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”
