Hydra Brigade Welcomes New Command Sergeant Major
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Georgia Army National Guard’s 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade welcomed a new senior enlisted leader during a change-of-responsibility ceremony at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Georgia, Oct. 18, 2026.
Command Sgt. Maj. Starrenzo Cummings relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Eubank during a ceremony presided over by Col. Rodney C. Edenfield, commander of the 648th MEB.
Cummings enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 1997 as an infantryman and spent 17 years as a petroleum supply specialist with the 878th Engineer Battalion, deploying to Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2013. He previously served as command sergeant major of the 148th Brigade Support Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, before assuming responsibility for the 648th MEB in March 2024.
Reflecting on his two and a half years with the brigade, Cummings described the importance of having a voice in organizational leadership and the opportunity to influence meaningful change.
“I understood that that is where change starts, and in order to impact change, you have to have a seat at the table,” Cummings said. “I don’t ever want to be invited to a table if I don’t have a voice.”
Cummings also thanked the brigade’s leadership for remaining receptive to his input throughout his tenure.
“I know that leaders don’t like to be challenged, but each and every single time I challenged the leaders of the 648, you all accepted that call,” he said.
As he prepared to relinquish responsibility, Cummings expressed confidence in his successor, acknowledging that although he did not select the brigade’s next command sergeant major, he would choose Eubank if given the opportunity.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly,” Eubank said. “The role of the command sergeant major is not about position or title. It’s about service to the formation.”
Eubank enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 2004 as an infantryman and began his career in long-range surveillance with Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment (Airborne), deploying with the unit to Iraq in 2006. In Afghanistan, he served as a combat adviser to an Afghan National Army reconnaissance company. He later deployed to Kosovo as a squad leader, where he was named Battle Group NCO of the Year, and returned to Afghanistan before serving as a senior enlisted leader in Honduras.
He previously served as command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, and most recently of 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Eubank acknowledged Cummings’ contributions to the brigade and the foundation established under his leadership. “The foundation you leave behind matters,” he said. “Your investment in the Soldiers, leaders and families of 648 has helped position this organization for continued success.”
During his remarks, Eubank outlined five expectations for the brigade: professionalism, leadership, training, standards and discipline, and attitude. He emphasized the importance of technical proficiency, service-oriented leadership and realistic training in maintaining organizational readiness.
Eubank also reinforced that standards and discipline must remain consistent, regardless of circumstances, while encouraging Soldiers to maintain a positive attitude when facing challenges.
“We cannot always control the conditions that we may face, but we can control how we may respond,” he said. With the ceremony complete, Eubank assumed responsibility as the brigade’s senior enlisted leader, signing onto the command network for the first time as Hydra 7.
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