Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Matt Valas has gone from commanding the Alabama National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) to commanding NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Valas was promoted from colonel to brigadier general in a ceremony at the Alabama National Guard’s Joint Forces Headquarters May 31. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey administered the new general his oath and Valas’ family pinned his new rank on his uniform.
“Col. Valas, we are all very proud of your contributions to the Alabama National Guard and even more proud that you will carry on Alabama’s tradition of service in your new assignment as commander at NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo,” Ivey said before administering the oath.
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas is pinned to his new rank by his wife. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
(Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. David Pritchett speaks at the promotion ceremony of Brig. Gen. Matt Valas. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Gov. Kay Ivey speaks at the promotion ceremony for Brig. Gen. Matt Valas. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas poses with his wife, Abby, and their children Reese, Gray and Elin. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Gov. Kay Ivey administers the oath to Brig. Gen. Matt Valas, promoting him to his new rank. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. Matthew Valas speaks about how everyone that attended his promotion made an impact on his career advancement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
Gov. Kay Ivey administers the oath to Brig. Gen. Matt Valas, promoting him to his new rank. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas is pinned by his wife and daughter while his other two children look on. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Gov. Kay Ivey speaks at the promotion ceremony for Brig. Gen. Matt Valas. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Gov. Kay Ivey administers the oath to Brig. Gen. Matt Valas, promoting him to his new rank. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Gov. Kay Ivey administers the oath of office to Alabama Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Matthew Valas at Alabama National Guard Joint Force Headquarters on May 31, 2024. Valas was promoted from colonel to brigadier general. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas and his family pose with Gov. Kay Ivey. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. David Pritchett, the Alabama National Guard adjutant general, speaks about Brig. Gen. Matthew Valas at Alabama National Guard Joint Force Headquarters on May 31, 2024. Pritchett emphasized Valas’s character and work ethic. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
Brig. Gen. Matthew Valas and his wife Abby Valas share a smile at Alabama National Guard Joint Force Headquarters on May 31, 2024. Valas was promoted from colonel to brigadier General for his hard work and dedication in the Alabama National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas was awarded the Legion of Merit medal (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Abby Valas is awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of Alabama from Brig. Gen. David Pritchett, the Alabama National Guard’s Adjutant General. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas speaks at his promotion ceremony. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)
Brig. Gen. Matt Valas is pinned by his wife Abby Valas at Alabama National Guard Joint Force Headquarters on May 31, 2024. Valas was promoted from colonel to brigadier general. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
Gov. Kay Ivey speaks at the promotion ceremony for Brig. Gen. Matt Valas. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
Brig. Gen. Matthew Valas speaks at his promotion to brigadier general. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Angelina Tran)
In addition to commanding the special forces, Valas has had a distinguished career including leadership positions in the Alabama National Guard’s 1st of the 167th Infantry Battalion and as the state training officer for the Alabama Guard.
Brig. Gen. David Pritchett, the Alabama National Guard adjutant general, called Valas “a true lead-by-example soldier” and said he is “extremely deserving of the promotion to brigadier general.”
Valas took the opportunity to thank his family and those who served with him and mentored him along the way. He also encouraged Alabama National Guard service members to “always be open to the new challenge, accept the help from your teammates and see what Alabama can provide for you.”
Valas was also awarded the Legion of Merit medal and his wife, Abby, received the Distinguished Service Medal of Alabama.
