WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth appointed five new civilian aides during a Dec. 3 ceremony at the Pentagon, including Lance O'Bryan of Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

O'Bryan served in the U.S. Army for nearly 26 years. He recently served as garrison commander of Fort Knox.

"It is my distinct honor and privilege to be selected by Secretary Wormuth as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Northern Kentucky," O'Bryan said. "I am honored to continue to serve my country, the U.S. Army, the state of Kentucky and my community in this new role."

The U.S. Army said in a release O'Bryan "is uniquely familiar with serving Soldiers, families and veterans" and "is passionate about issues involving military-connected families." After retiring, he assumed the role of president and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance, a public-private partnership focused on growing Fort Knox's economic impact and protecting soldiers and their families.

Wormuth also appointed Lester Lumbad of Las Vegas; Rich Morales of East Greenwich, Rhode Island; Edward Salo of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Frank Vitale of Morgantown, West Virginia.

The U.S. Army said civilian aides, or "CASAs," promote good relations between the Army and public, advise the Secretary of the Army on regional issues, support the Army workforce and recruit and help soldiers as they transition out of the military. 

"It's an honor to have these five outstanding new CASAs representing the Army," Wormuth said. "Our CASAs are instrumental in building and maintaining relationships between the Army and communities across the country."

"The work they do is critically important, especially in our efforts to spread the Army story and recruit the next generation of soldiers."

Each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories have at least one CASA appointed.