Pogue awarded by military department

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune

Melissa Pogue, an analyst for the State Military Department for the Army National Guard, receives an award with her former, and current, bosses. From left are Major Andrew Hernandez, Pogue, Lieutenant Colonel Jubilee Satele and Major Max Montellano.

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Better late than never for Melissa Pogue. She earned a commendation for her work as an analyst II for the State Military Department for the Army National Guard a couple of months ago. However, gathering for an awards ceremony took a little longer than anyone thought.

Finally, Pogue was given her award at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, where her husband, Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue, hosted the event.

Current garrison commander of the joint forces training base in Los Alamitos, Lieutenant Colonel Jubilee Satele, presented the award to Pogue.

“For outstanding service to the California Military Department of Facilities and Infrastructure from Feb. 1, 2022, to March 27, 2026. During this period, Melissa Pogue’s exceptional performance, professionalism and unwavering dedication was instrumental to the success of facility and maintenance operations across more than 10 facilities,” Satele read, “the execution and completion of more than 1,200 work orders, ensuring timely, efficient and mission-focused sustainment operations state wide. Melissa Pogue’s selfless service, technical expertise and steadfast commitment to excellence significantly enhanced the operation readiness and organizational effectiveness, Her actions reflect great upon herself, the California Military Department and the State of California. Signed Robert Walquist, Director of Facilities and Infrastructure.”

“We all do it for the soldiers who are here today,” Pogue said. “No matter how how small and insignificant we think some of the stuff we’re doing, it’s not. It’s because we’re trying to make whatever little piece easier for them.”

“Words cannot describe how much we appreciate the work you do for us,” Satele said. “Sometimes I felt like I worked for her.”

Pogue’s current boss at the State Military Department, Major Max Montellano, also provided kind words about Pogue, and her commitment to the Department.

“This commendation is not only well deserved, but just so far coming,” he said. “When anyone talks about Melissa, they only have kind words of excellence. She’s been there, steadfast, training people, making sure that the CMD runs correctly. I know this year, Melissa has gone through $2 million-plus worth of your taxpayer services, materials and more. And, this is just one year of 17, going on 18, years that she accomplished this.

“I did want to highlight some of the achievements that she’s also made in doing this. She single-handedly sustained Area 1 and 3 operations in the absence of the full-time area coordinator and assistant. She executed, and reconciled, $1.036 million across 42 requisitions to include market research contracting, contract execution and fiscal close out ensuring uninterrupted mission support and zero disruptions to critical operations. She has also hired at least 50 percent of the personnel that is across the five areas. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard her just taking care of business. This is far coming for her to get an award. She looks like she’s going to be management, hopefully, soon as long as we can do our part to make that happen. I came to this job two years ago knowing that Melissa was there. There’s no way I would have taken this job if she wasn’t there. She is just the staple for Area 3.”

Pogue’s three bosses were in attendance. Along with Montellano and Satele was Major Andrew Hernandez.

“I got to work with Melissa for about eight years,” Hernandez said. “She saw us through our darkest time, about four years ago. She brought stability to Area 3, and stability to our family. I want to say, thank you, and put that on the record. I want to say thank you for everything, from my family, for the Army, and what we do in the National Guard, you made it possible. She helped with five people in the Army that wanted to commit suicide. She helped with three sexual assault cases. She helped me go to the Chico fire and helped me go down to the mudslides to the south. There are multiple things that we can’t even say that Pogue has helped the commander.”

Because of the work that Pogue does, her current commander, Montellano, does not want to move from where he is.

“I’m here with Melissa,” he said. “I am not looking to get promoted out of this position. I am going to retire out. I’m probably, more than likely, going to retire out Melissa, under her own wishes. Melissa has the capabilities now in her career that she goes where she wants to, she does what she wants to and, pretty much, she’s got the position there for life until the day that she says she’s done. Hopefully, there’s more of these (awards) going to happen, because it’s always well deserved.”