The enduring professional relationship between Command Sgt. Maj. Jasen Pask and Command Sgt. Maj. Lisa Furry of the Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG) highlights the significance of personal connections in military service. This was evident during Pask’s final re-enlistment ceremony, where Furry administered the oath.
Pask will continue his service for several more years, while Furry plans to retire later this year. Their careers, spanning decades from junior enlisted roles to senior leadership positions, demonstrate how lasting relationships can shape military careers.
“The Guard’s strongest asset just might be Soldiers’ interpersonal relationships,” said State Command Sgt. Maj. Pask. “The trust built between Soldiers can lead to opportunities they never anticipated.”
Pask and Furry first met in 1990 at a music store in Tampa, Florida, where Pask worked and Furry performed as a singer after her active-duty service in the U.S. Navy. This connection laid the foundation for their professional bond.
Pask enlisted in the FLARNG in 1991 and later introduced Furry to opportunities within the National Guard, leading her to enlist in 1993. Their paths diverged until they reunited following the events of September 11, 2001, when Furry influenced Pask’s return to the FLARNG.
Command Sgt. Maj. Furry reflected on their shared journey: “Having known him for as long as I have and witnessed the growth of each other’s careers, it feels fitting that I am at the end of my career while he is in the final years of his.”
Maj. Gen. Robert Carruthers emphasized that strong bonds among Guardsmen can have positive effects on the organization: “They may not have made these life-changing decisions if they hadn’t known and trusted each other.”
“You don’t do this job alone,” said Pask about their partnership rooted in mutual trust and honor.
Carruthers noted that despite nearing retirement, both leaders continue to inspire others by sharing their experiences with potential recruits: “We need great young people today to follow in their footsteps.”
As Pask took his final oath of enlistment from Furry, it marked over three decades of friendship and service together—a testament to growing and leading alongside one another.
“You never know when you might be called into battle with someone,” said Furry about maintaining strong bonds within military life.
