(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad will present the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Governor’s ROTC Award for outstanding achievement to nine students from The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, University of Dubuque, Buena Vista University, and the University of Northern Iowa.  The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol in the Robert D. Ray Conference Room.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 

10:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds attend Iowa ROTC Governor’s Cup Ceremony

Robert D. Ray Conference Room

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

Gov. Branstad presents the awards annually to top students in nine ROTC programs at six Iowa universities.  The awards “honor the men and women for leadership, academics, and military achievement.”

Receiving this year’s awards will be:

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Thomas W. Bentley II, University of Iowa Army ROTC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bentley of Chaska, Minnesota.

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Bethany M. Fischer, University of Northern Iowa Army ROTC, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Fischer of Farmington, Minnesota.

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan A. Halverson, University of Dubuque Army ROTC, the son of Mr. Rick Halverson of Cassville, Wisconsin.

- Cadet Colonel Amanda M. Heller, University of Iowa Air Force ROTC, the daughter of Master Sergeant Walter Heller of Laporte, Colorado.

- Cadet Major Curtis R. Nielsen, Drake University Army ROTC, the son of Ms. Marguerite Nielsen of Carroll, Iowa.

- Cadet Major Jamie L. Oberg, Buena Vista University Army ROTC, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Oberg of Mapleton, Iowa.

- Midshipman First Class Jayson S. Rimer, Iowa State University Naval ROTC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Rimer of Papillion, Nebraska.

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Adam D. Schilling, Iowa State University Army ROTC, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schilling of New Hampton, Iowa.

- Second Lieutenant Kevin R. Stoll, Iowa State University Air Force ROTC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Stoll of Apple Valley, Minnesota. 

April 7 Ceremony to Recognize Soldiers in Galesburg Army National Guard Unit

GALESBURG, IL (04/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 115 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized April 7 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the 444th Chemical Company will be at 10 a.m. at the Galesburg National Guard Armory, 362 N. Linwood Road in Galesburg.

The Soldiers were mobilized in February 2012 and briefly trained at Camp Shelby, Miss., before deploying to Kuwait. They returned home Dec. 22.

Stationed at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, the unit operated as a base command cell supporting units stationed at the base and operations in the region.

The 444th saved more than $500,000 in government contracts and increased the billeting capability of Camp Virginia by more than 4,000 Soldiers. The 444th was instrumental in transitioning Camp Virginia from a short-term stop for Soldiers heading into Kuwait or Afghanistan into a long-term billeting area.

The 444th also conducted more than 3,000 patrols and secured 71 unexploded ordnances without loss of life or equipment.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

LOMBARD, IL (04/01/2013)(readMedia)-- Twenty-one Soldiers were awarded Saint Orders, six Soldiers and two civilians were awarded individual awards and one Soldier was promoted during the 108th Sustainment Brigade's All Saints Recognition Ceremony and Ball at the Westin Lombard in Lombard March 23.

"The All Saints Ball recognizes the hard work and dedication of outstanding Soldiers and families of the 108th," said Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, the Commander of the 108th. "This event brings us to together to honor those who make the 108th Sustainment Brigade so successful."

Within the military there are individual awards for personal achievements, for units there are campaign awards and finally there are professional awards known as regimental awards.

"The United States Army created regiment (awards) to build esprit de corps, maintain customs and traditions and increase combat effectiveness," said Lt. Col. Tracy Collins of Naperville, the deputy commanding officer for the 108th Sust. Bde. "These awards show the significant contribution the Soldiers have done for the specific regiment or association."

The Signal Corps Regimental Association established the Bronze Order of Mercury for individuals who stand above their peers in their contributions to the Signal Corps and the Signal Corps Regimental Association.

Inducted into the Bronze Order of Mercury were:

• 1st Sgt. Alberto Colon of Mundelein with the 433rd Signal Company in Crestwood

• Sgt. 1st Class Kyara Cowan of Calumet Park with the 433rd Signal Company in Crestwood

The Distinguished Order of St. Martin was awarded for significant contribution to the Quartermaster Corps and those who have embodied the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment emphasized by St. Martin.

Inducted into the Distinguished Order of St. Martin were:

• Lt. Col. Matthew Voyles of Woodstock with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Sgt. Maj. Steven Pearson of Chicago with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

The Honorable Order of St. Martin is awarded to those who demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and moral character and having displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence while serving in the Quartermaster Corps.

Inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Martin was:

• Capt. Edgardo Prats-Reyes of Chicago with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Angela Lantau of Quincy last assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Staff Sgt. Pedro Feliciano-Nieves of Montgomery with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Spc. Hector Loporte of Chicago with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

The Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe is awarded to those individuals who have served the United States Army Ordnance Corps, demonstrating integrity, moral character and professional competence over a sustained period. Those selfless contributions to the corps stand out in the eyes of their seniors, peers and subordinates.

• Maj. Richard Munyer of Springfield with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Springfield

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffery Garrett of Rochester with the 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield

• Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Thompson of Okawville with the 1344th Transportation Company in East St. Louis

• Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Gawron of Addison with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Capt. Bernadette Bland of Farmington with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

Following her induction Bland was promoted to the rank of major.

The Ancient Order of St. Christopher was awarded to those with a career that embodied outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by St. Christopher the patron saint of the Transportation Corps Regiment.

Inducted into the Ancient Order of St. Christopher were:

• Lt. Col. Tracy Collins of Naperville with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Master Sgt. Michael Gersh of Johnsburg with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls

The Honorable Order of St. Christopher was awarded for demonstrating the highest standards of integrity and moral character and having displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence while serving in the Transportation Corps.

Inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Christopher were:

• Capt. Elaine Nussbaum of Bloomington with the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team A12 in Springfield

• Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Hacker of Rock Falls with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls

• Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Heleine of Charleston with the 1544th Transportation Company in Paris

• Sgt. 1st Class Jose Sanchez of Romeoville with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside

• Staff Sgt. Donald Wort of Marseilles with the 1744th Transportation Company in Crestwood

• Staff Sgt. Shelly Johns of Chicago with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside

Awarded the Army Commendation Medal for their service and achievements in the 108th Sustainment Brigade and the Illinois National Guard were:

• Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, acting state command chaplain with Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield

• Maj. James Dodd of Chicago with Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Capt. Michael Raschen of Edwardsville with 1844th Transportation Company in Quincy

• Spc. Andrew Adkins of Chicago Headquarters and Headquarters, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal were:

• Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Angela Lantau of Quincy last assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago

• Master Sgt. Raymond Butler of Waverly with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Springfield

Carol May was inducted into the Honorable Order of Elizabeth Armstrong, for Dedicated Support to the Illinois National Guard Family Program. She was selected by a committee of her peers to join the Sisterhood based on her diligent efforts to improve the quality of life for Guardsmen and their Families.

Shannon Dunn received The Military Medal of Merit for Exceptionally meritorious service as a family Readiness support assistant.

For additional information and photos of the Soldiers and civilians honored please contact the Illinois National Guard Office at 217-761-3569 or email ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/29/2013)(readMedia)-- Each March, Women's History Month celebrations highlight the accomplishments of women everywhere. Women have served in the active component since World War II, however women were not allowed to enlist in the Army National Guard with no prior service until 1972. Sgt. 1st Class Wendy Bartlett of Bloomington, Ill., is one of the few remaining women who served in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and still serves in the Illinois Army National Guard today. The WAC was a part of the active Army, though a separate Corps until 1978.

Bartlett, an Officer Candidate School instructor with the 3rd Battalion, 129th Regional Training Institute (RTI) in Springfield, enlisted in 1975 and attended basic training in 1976, followed by advanced individual training as a personnel actions specialist. She said this was one of the only jobs females were allowed to hold at that time.

"We were an all-female basic training unit," Bartlett said. "We learned how to wear our uniforms, put make-up on, do our hair, shoot our weapons, throw hand grenades, go through the tear gas chamber, do (physical training) in combat boots, uniform pants and t-shirts, learn self-defense, and other classes."

Bartlett recalled having a slight disadvantage during her initial training because of her size.

"I remember that in basic training I needed to carry a milk crate strapped to my backpack one time, so that I could use it to get in and out of a foxhole for grenade training," she said.

Despite this, Bartlett also remembered benefiting from a rare skill during her basic training.

"(Instructors) were asking if anyone could drive a stick-shift vehicle, which at that time most women did not," Bartlett said. "I was one of three in our whole battalion who could drive a stick shift. I ended up being the battalion driver, which gave me driver duty often, affording me some time off from the strenuous training."

After training, Bartlett served with the 123rd Infantry out of Bloomington, Ill. Following her initial enlistment, she transferred to the Army Reserve in Peoria, Ill., before taking a 14-year break in service.

"After about 14 years of being out, I reenlisted into the Army Reserve, as I wanted to be an instructor and they had a position open for me," said Bartlett, a middle school teacher with Tri-Valley Middle School in Downs, Ill. "I found that I liked the Guard unit in Springfield, the 129th RTI, so I transferred to that unit."

Bartlett said she had good memories and experiences from her time in the service.

"My life is full of great stories," Bartlett said. "A few years ago I was in charge of a unit of instructors sent to Poland to teach a Senior Leadership Course to the Polish Army. It was a course that I had a major part in writing. It was the last year that we went to teach it and it was an honor being the one in charge of it."

Women in the Illinois National Guard, like Bartlett, as well as the rest of the military, now have an opportunity to further broaden their experiences, following the recent ending of the direct ground combat exclusion rule for women in the military Jan. 24, 2013. Because of this, female servicemembers can now serve in occupations and units, which place them directly in combat roles.

"Women have always played a significant role in our wars," said Adriana Schroeder of Springfield, the Illinois National Guard command historian. "At least three women in Illinois units dressed and fought as men during the Civil War. In addition to those who donned the uniform, every woman who ever put a bandage on a Soldier, sent a care package or took care of things at home during deployment has played a role."

Bartlett said she found her career to be a rewarding experience and would tell any woman, or man, thinking of joining the military to go for it.

"My life has changed from my experiences," Bartlett said, "and I don't regret any moment of it."