1SG Finesia T. Varnado was born on June 22, 1977, in Tylertown Miss. And grew up in Foxworth, Miss. She is a graduate from West Marion High School Class of 1995 (ninth in her class.)
1SG Varnado began her military with CO C (-) 890th EN, HWY of Columbia, Miss in the summer of her senior year. She completed her basic training as a 92A Automated Logistics Specialist at Fort Jackson, SC on August 30, 1995, and MOSQ at Fort Lee, Virginia on November 9, 1995. She returned to Foxworth to be a traditional guardsman until August 1997. She then moved to Schweinfurt, Germany for two and a half years and joined back up with CO C (-) 890th on March 28, 2000, to finish up her oath of enlistment. In January of 2003, her unit was mobilized to go to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She was promoted to Sergeant on April 18, 2003, to HSC 890th EN BN. Two months later she was called back on Title 10 orders to Camp Shelby. She was the 711 Administrative Clerk for the Installation Maintenance Department (IMD) from May 2004 to December 2007. During this time, she also completed PLDC on February 12, 2005. She was honorably discharged on December 31, 2007.
1SG Varnado enlisted back in the MSARNG on April 19, 2010, with DET 1, 3656th MAINT CO (GS) of Waynesboro, Miss as the Equipment Rec/Parts SCT. On December 6, 2010, she teamed up with the Department of Public Works at Camp Shelby on Title 10 orders as the 92A20 Equipment Red/Parts SGT. She was able to complete the Intermediate Advance Leadership course at Camp Shelby on May 26, 2011. She also did phase I & II of the ALC on January 31, 2012, at Fort Lee, VA. Her assignment with DPW ended on September 30, 2013.
1SG Varnado entered the technician program on December 15, 2013, with CSMS at Camp Shelby as the Tool/Parts Attendant. On January 8, 2017, she earned a promotion within the section as the Supply Production Controller. She was promoted to Staff Sergeant as the Material Container Accounting Supervisor with HHD 1108th TASMG of Gulfport, Miss on July 9, 2015. She held that position until October 25, 2018.
On October 1, 2018, she back filled as the Temporary Supply Supervisor at CSMS while her supervisor was deployed. 1SG Varnado received her promotion orders for the Joint Forces Headquarters in Jackson, Miss. On October 25, 2018. She was able to complete Phase I & II of the Senior Leader course in Fort Lee, on August 16, 2019. After she completed the SLC, she was pinned Sergeant First Class on October 1, 2019. On August1, 2020 1SG Varnado took a leave of absence from the technician program for ADOS orders with A Co 106 BSB of Magee, Miss. Two months later, she transferred from JFH to A Co 106 BSB to be the Platoon Sergeant and work as the NCIOC of the BSB Supply Support Activity at Camp Shelby. In this position, she has dual roles, she was a Platoon Sergeant and NCOIC. On November 16, 2021, she completed the Master Leaser Course at Camp Shelby. With lots of tears, prayers and encouragement from her peers, she finished her 12th class with superior academic achievement. This has been her hardest NCOES challenge. She was promoted to Master Sergeant as the Logistics NCO with HHC 184th ESC of Monticello, Miss of February 21, 2024.
1SG Varnado has received numerous federal and state awards throughout her career. Her federal medals are Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army National Guard Components Achievement Medal with four silver oak leaf clusters, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces reserve Medal with silver hourglass and Mobilization device, Army NCO Professional Development Medal with Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Medal, and Armed Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon. Her state awards include the Mississippi National Guard War Medal, Mississippi National Guard Medal of Efficiency and Mississippi National Guard Longevity Medal with silver oak leaf clusters. On April 19, 2025, she will have served for 25 years.
1SG Varnado greatest achievement is her family. She is the daughter of George Jr. and Brenda Johnson of Foxworth, Mississippi. She is the second child of five siblings: Sedrogers Varnado (deceased), Brentina Varnado of Hattiesburg, Georagee Johnson of Foxworth, Corthel Johnson of Hattiesburg, and George Johnson III of Foxworth. She is the mother of three children, SSG Jalyne Quinn of Fort Novosel, Ala. Jamal Lewis, and Ja’Mya lewis of Hattiesburg. Her newest joy is her fur baby, Deuce.
