National Guard Colonel Promoted to Brigadier General

 

Col. Russell S. “Steve” Hargis assumed the rank of Brigadier General, Assistant Adjutant General, Army, North Carolina National Guard at a ceremony held at the Legislative Building Auditorium in Raleigh on July 10.

A 37-year military veteran, Brig. Gen. Hargis, a Smithfield native, was previously assigned as the Intelligence and Security Officer, Joint Force Headquarters in Oct. 2002.

Throughout his career, Brig. Gen. Hargis has held positions of ever-increasing responsibility. He has been a Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Executive Officer, Logistics Officer, Battalion and Brigade Commander. Brig. Gen. Hargis has previously commanded the 230th Support Battalion and one of the NC Army National Guard's Major Support Command brigades, 60th Troop Command.

His awards include, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.

He graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Liberty University. He has completed many military schools including, Ordnance Officer Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course and Army War College.

Brig. Gen. Hargis is the president of R.S. Hargis Corporation and Coldwater Farms, Inc. and recently retired as president of Hargis Construction Company.  He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Smithfield.

Major General Willliam Ingram Jr., Adjutant General of the N.C. National Guard, and Cathy Hargis, wife of Brigadier General Steve Hargis, pin stars on the new general's uniform during the ceremony in Raleigh.