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Sgt. Dario Lykes, the lead security guard on mid-shift, is Redstone Arsenal’s Security Guard of the Year for 2024.
“I really wasn’t expecting this award,” Lykes said at a ceremony on July 2 at the Redstone police station. “I try to do my best every day.”
A Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal certificate recognizes Lykes for “exceptional achievement” in performing duties as a lead security guard from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
“Sgt. Lykes’ professionalism exemplifying the highest ideals of customer service and judgment earned his recognition” as the Security Guard of the Year, Maj. Thomas Cottingham said, reading from the certificate signed by Garrison Commander Col. Erin Eike.
“His extraordinary willingness to exceed his job performance with special recognition reflects great credit” on himself, the Directorate of Emergency Services, the Garrison, the Installation Management Command, the Army Materiel Command and the Army.
“We are glad to have him,” Jonathan Arcand, Redstone’s chief of security guards, said. “Since he’s been here, he got promoted to lead pretty quickly and he’s currently on mid-shift. We only have one lieutenant on mids, and (Lykes) has some pretty big shoes to fill even when the lieutenant’s here … and he does a great job.”
The previous night, an individual drove onto the installation, did a U-turn and was kind of confused, Archand said. “They had to deploy the GRAB (Ground Retractable Automobile Barrier) system” to stop the vehicle. “He gave me a phone call – and he was very professional –
let me know what he did, which was perfect, and made my job easier. He did a very good job. He’s doing outstanding stuff. He’s a good motivator, especially when he’s out there during PATs.”
“What you do is incredibly difficult,” Eike said. “There are slow times for sure but when something ramps up, you guys are all over it. You’re looking out for each other, you’re maintaining security for the installation. It’s truly impressive.
“I appreciate your bravery and again, looking out for us.”
She thanked Lykes on behalf of Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. John Fritz and Martin Traylor, the deputy to the Garrison commander.
Lykes joined the security guard force last year and was previously a security guard at the U.S. Military Academy. A Wetumpka native, Lykes was an Army military policeman for eight years, serving in Afghanistan, Poland, Kuwait, Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Korea, and an Army recruiter for four years in Middletown, Connecticut.
He thanked his wife, Marelin, and his current and past leadership including Lt. Janice Thomas, Lt. Cynthia Brassell, Lt. Richard Carter, Lt. Robert Cap, Lt. Sam Washburn, Capt. Cornelius Johnson, Cottingham and Archand. He also thanked the Department of the Army civilian police for their assistance.
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