CHICAGO (08/07/2015)(readMedia)-- Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Hacker of Rock Falls, Illinois, was recognized as the 2014 Transportation Corps Reserve Component Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year July 31 at the Transportation School at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Hacker was recognized for his distinguished service, significant contributions and performance in support of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

He has worked in the Transportation Corps for 15 years and now serves as the readiness NCO for the Illinois National Guard's 1644th Transportation Company, based in Rock Falls, Illinois.

Hacker said he believes the award is representative of his entire career not only form his efforts, but also from leaders and Soldiers he has worked with over the years.

"This accomplishment is not just what I did," said Hacker. "It a culmination of the commissioned and noncommissioned leaders I've served under, the Soldiers I've lead and worked with down to my first squad leader, who showed me what being an transportation NCO meant. This award represents who I am because of good leadership and Soldiers."

Hacker said he plans to continue his military career and hopes to keep advancing.

"As an active guard reserve Soldier, I plan to stay in transportation," said Hacker. "My ultimate goal is to move up to battalion as an operations NCO."

Hacker was nominated by his commanders, who submit a packet detailing his distinguished service, significant contributions and performance in support of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

Capt. Linden Allen of Ann Arbor, Michigan, commander of the 1644th Trans. Co. said Hacker is a highly dedicated NCO.

"Hacker sets the standard for the Illinois National Guard and the Army as a whole," said Allen.

Maj. Shaun Nokes, of Quincy, Illinois, the executive officer with the 1144th Transportation Battalion based in Delavan, Illinois, said during the last four years the reserve component officers or NCOs of the year who have been recognized have come from the ranks and subordinate units of the 1144th.

"The Illinois National Guard Transportation Corps is filled with some of the best of the best in the field," said Nokes. "It's these distinguished leaders who will continue to train and guide our future generations of transportation Soldiers out there on the roads spearheading logistics."

MARSEILLES, IL (07/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Members of Illinois Joining Forces and Illinois communities participated in "Military Immersion" training, July 17 at Marseilles Training Center, Marseilles, Illinois.

The participants stayed overnight at a MTC and experienced military life, interacted with service members and learned about the military. They were also shown military equipment, military vehicles and given new insight into how to best help and support service members, veterans, and their families.

"We wanted to give the civilians a chance to actually stay in military barracks and get to do the training that Soldiers go through," said Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Chatham, Illinois with Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois, Illinois National Guard. "Normally training events only allow for observing, but with this one we wanted to give our participants a chance to 'walk in a Soldiers boots' for the day."

Twenty-seven civilians in professions ranging from lawyers to health care providers along with Kenneth Barber, Executive Director of Illinois Joining Forces, Erica Jeffries, Director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Ron Bacci, Chair of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve participated in the two day event.

"This is the second year we have had a successful event, and it looks like it will continue," said Rochelle.

Brandon Woodenburg, a student at SIU School of Law and volunteer at the SIU veterans' rural pro bono initiative, a first timer for immersion training said he respects veterans even more than he did before because of what he experienced on this trip.

"This visit was very insightful and I was able to get a point of view that a civilian wouldn't normally get to see," said Woodenburg. "It was exciting to see a small fraction of what a veteran or active member goes through on a frequent basis."

Woodenburg said he came on this trip hoping to get more insight on veterans and their lifestyle in order to help them more as a volunteer.

Woodenburg said his favorite part of the trip was being in the platoons, doing cadences and marching.

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Nickels of Montgomery, Illinois, a training assistant for the Illinois Pre Mobilization Training Assistance Element took the civilians through an IED training lane and taught them how to use the decision making process to navigate past obstacles they encountered.

"This training exposes the general population to the complexity of the jobs in the Army," said Nickels. "We want to show the capabilities of our Soldiers to civilians that can make them more marketable for employment purposes."

Nickels said the feedback from the civilians throughout the training was positive.

"This was a great opportunity for us to show them what we do instead of just telling them what we do," said Nickels. "This is a great event and hopefully we can expand this in the years to come."

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Senior noncommissioned officers from across the state met on July 11 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois for the 2015 Warrant Officer (WO) Selection Event. The WO Selection Event is an annual recruitment event held in July at Camp Lincoln and in August at the North Riverside Armory in Chicago.

Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, visited the event and said after years of partial vacancies, getting Illinois' warrant officer program up to full strength was a top priority.

"Everyone here has been identified and selected by their leadership for warrant officer consideration," said Hayes. "Commissioned officers are generalists, but warrants bring highly technical expertise to critical areas, and we are committed to supporting them, their Families, and their employers."

Although last year's WO Selection Event had about 50 attendees and generated several leads, this year's smaller event was targeted towards 30 senior NCOs who already possess the interest and qualifications to begin a warrant officer application. All of the Soldiers that were present in the classroom were screened for eligibility and invited based on recommendations from their commanders. Each attendee came from technical backgrounds where warrant officer positions are hard to fill.

Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman, Land Component Command Sergeant Major of the Illinois National Guard, said success in his organization means having the right person in the right slot at the right time. He said he's glad to see experienced NCOs considering the switch.

"Have you had leadership fail you in the past? Ever thought that you could do better? Now is your chance." said Bowman.

Warrant Officer Aaron D. Poynter of Pekin, Illinois, petroleum systems technician for the 108th Sustainment Brigade based in Chicago, came to share his experience with the attendees after being the honor graduate in his Warrant Officer Basic Course that ended in June.

Poynter, an 18 year veteran, was a sergeant first class when he began the warrant officer process. He said he chose warrant officer because it would allow him to do what he loved even longer.

"I would ask anyone interested, if you have the technical knowledge, why not serve your state in the best capacity possible? Why not take the next step to become an expert and advisor?"

Chief Warrant Officer 5 David W. Hammon, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Illinois National Guard, said the event offers senior Soldiers a great opportunity for career longevity in a way that benefits both the Soldier and the organization.

"Highly specialized and technical career fields aren't always easy to keep filled, but doing so will increase the strength and status of our state," said Hammon. "We have all these great, experienced people, and we want to keep them where they are, but at a higher level."

If you are interested in being a warrant officer please contact Chief Warrant Officer 3 Miranda Dawdy at 217-761-1275 or miranda.r.dawdy.mil@mail.mil.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/02/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Sgt. Maj. Jerry D. Clements of Pittsfield, Illinois, the former command sergeant major of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Illinois National Guard received the Legion of Merit during a ceremony July 1 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Clements received the award for meritorious service as the command sergeant major of the 404th MEB from June 2012 to January 2015.