Army Reserve’s top enlisted leader tours MTSU Daniels Center, honored by Grand Ole Opry

A decorated and distinguished U.S. Army leader with offices at both the Pentagon and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was spotlighted Tuesday during the Grand Ole Opry's annual sold-out Salute to Troops.

Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo of the Army Reserve was introduced at the program by Keith M. Huber, Middle Tennessee State University senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives and 38-year veteran. Lombardo, a 37-year veteran, was presented with a commemorative plaque on stage.

Looking on from the audience were Hazel Daniels and son Charlie Daniels Jr. Performer and former MTSU student Craig Morgan closed out the show. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, first lady Elizabeth McPhee and several MTSU administrators were in the audience as well.

Earlier that day, Lombardo toured the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center alongside Huber and other university officials and connected with officers and recent graduates of the ROTC and Military Science program.

Lombardo said MTSU made a positive impression during his visit to campus, where he spent four hours learning about programs for veterans.

As the Army Reserve’s top enlisted soldier, Lombardo advises the commanding general and other senior Army leaders on regulations, policies and quality of life issues related to nearly 200,000 Army Reserve soldiers serving around the world.

Lombardo shared a meal with more than 30 NCOs from Army Reserve units from across Tennessee, as well as area civilian Army Reserve Ambassadors. He was presented a framed photograph showing the Nashville Army Reservists and others gathered at the MTSU Military Memorial.

Reunion among veterans

The visit was also a reunion of sorts for Lombardo and Huber, who both served together in Afghanistan.

Huber, who retired from the Army as a lieutenant general, said it was “a privilege” to have Lombardo visit MTSU “and to make him aware of what MTSU supports from what we do at the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.”

The MTSU’s Daniels Center, which is home to 1,100 student veterans and family members, is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee higher education campus — a one-stop shop to meet a variety of academic needs.

“My (initial) impression is how this facility has embraced the concept of citizen, soldier and veterans pursuing higher education,” Lombardo said. “The fact the university has created the Daniels Center as a space for veterans to be able to utilize their educational benefits to further their education is a testament to their commitment, to help military members transition to civilian society and become full citizens.”

Lombardo: Huber’s leadership needed

Lombardo said he was “pleased to see the university has a Reserve Officers Training Program.”

Lombardo, his staff and the ROTC leaders — Capt. Daniel Lowe, recruiter Marty Hill, 2nd Lts. Michael Maynard and Tahseen “Mike” Samo — discussed the program at length.

Regarding what Huber and university leadership have been able to accomplish through the Daniels Center, Lombardo said “the military’s an organization of cohesive teams that are highly trained, disciplined and fit, and our bonds stay strong."

"They don’t leave us when we leave military service, so that’s why Gen. Huber, and I remain in touch," Lombardo said. "It’s the cohesiveness and discipline that are required for our service in order to successfully defend our country that makes us a unique organization."

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com.  

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Army Reserve’s top enlisted leader tours MTSU Daniels Center, honored by Grand Ole Opry