Army National Guard Warrior Training Center Brigade

The Warrior Training Center Brigade’s Airborne and Aerial Delivery, Safety, Training, and Readiness Assistance Program (AADSTRAP) team and Alpha Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) Jumpmasters supported Leapfest 2024.

Leapfest is an international static line parachuting competition that is executed annually by the Rhode Island Army National Guard. Leapfest 2024 consisted of 55 teams including 29 international teams.

Prior Service - Army Integration Course (PS-AIC) class 003-24 conducts a 10-mile road march this morning before going into a field training exercise (FTX) over the weekend. PS-AIC welcomes prior service members from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard for five weeks of rigorous training to return to service in the Army National Guard.

Ten Army National Guard Soldiers completed the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) event hosted by the 199th Infantry Brigade at Ft. Moore, GA. Personnel represented the Warrior Training Center Brigade Headquarters, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne), Operations Group Wolf Battalion, and the Office of the Deputy Commanding General - Army National Guard at the Maneuver Center of Excellence. Over the past three days, participants completed a swim event for time, German armed forces basic fitness test, pistol qualification, and foot march. SFC Christina Rogers and SFC Jordy Brewer earned the Gold badge. SGT Thomas Johnston, SGT Blake Schwartz, and SFC Evan McCartney earned Silver. SSG Kaitlynn Schlitt, SSG Katlin Hoernemann, SFC Cameron Casey, MSG Lee Henson, and CPT Allison Miller earned Bronze. Congrats team!

The Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) is seeking a supply NCOIC to join the team. If you’re interested, please contact the Battalion S4 OIC at [email protected].

The Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) Unit Ministry Team and the WTC BDE Soldier Family Readiness Group hosted the Back to School Bash this morning. Soldiers and Families enjoyed food, fun, fellowship, and an exchange of free school supplies and household items. Excess school supplies were donated to Blanchard Elementary School. Special thanks to Sightseeing Road Chapel Gospel members, APZ Rentals, and Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls for supporting the event.

The Warrior Training Center Brigade conducted a Family Day event at Lake Martin in Dadeville, AL on 30-31 July. The event consisted of games, activities, cookout, and a water jump airborne operation. The WTC BDE extends special thanks to the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 131st Aviation Regiment (ALARNG), 421st Quartermaster Company (USAR) and 165th Quartermaster Company (GAARNG), Lee County Police and Fire Department, Tallapoosa EMS, and New Water Farms for supporting the event.

The Warrior Training Center Brigade’s Airborne and Aerial Delivery, Safety, Training, and Readiness Assistance Program (AADSTRAP) team conducted an assessment of the Airborne program at the 2-134th Infantry Battalion (Airborne) of the Nebraska Army National Guard. The unit executed a mass exit static line operation from two C-130 aircraft to maintain Jumpmaster and Jumper proficiency.

Chaplain (MAJ) Jon Pirtle was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He was accompanied by his family and WTC coworkers in a ceremony held at the Georgia Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. LTC Pirtle serves as the brigade chaplain at the Warrior Training Center Brigade, responsible for providing religious support to the Soldiers and Families of the brigade command team, staff, and nine subordinate battalions. Congratulations, sir!

Congratulations to the WTC’s newest Jumpmasters - SSG Jesus Cruz, SGT Stephen Ennis, and SPC Timothy Pelczarski. The guest speaker for this morning’s ceremony was COL (Ret.) Paul Longgrear. SSG Cruz and SGT Ennis both serve in Alpha Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) as Ranger Training and Assessment Course instructors. SPC Pelczarski serves in Headquarters and Headquarters Company as a team leader in the Support Platoon and as the battalion armorer. Additionally, SSG Bradford Crandall earned his Jumpmaster Instructor black hat. SSG Crandall serves the battalion as a Jumpmaster and Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) course instructor in HHC. Congratulations Jumpmasters!

SGT Kaleb Henry graduated Advanced Leader Course (ALC) at the Signal Academy on Clay National Guard Center, Georgia Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. SGT Henry serves at the Warrior Training Center Brigade as a Brigade Signal and Information Technology NCO in the S2/5/6 section. Congratulations SGT Henry!

Bravo Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) simultaneously conducts an Air Assault Course and a Pathfinder Course via mobile training teams at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA.

Seven Army National Guard Soldiers graduated Ranger School on Friday, 19 July with Ranger Class 07-24. All were graduates of HHC’s Ranger Team Leader Initiative (RTLI) program and Alpha Company’s Ranger Training and Assessment Course (RTAC) at the Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) prior to attending Ranger School. Congratulations Rangers!

COL Jon Gutauskas, Commander, Warrior Training Center Brigade, hosted the Mission Training Complex – Atterbury Change of Command between LTC Robbie Reed, outgoing battalion commander, and LTC Luke Reynard, incoming battalion commander, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana on 16 July 2024. The WTC BDE thanked LTC (P) Robbie Reed for his leadership over the last two years and wishes him and his family the very best as he transitions to his new assignment as the Senior Guard Advisor at Fort Eisenhower, GA. Additionally, the WTC BDE welcomes LTC Luke Reynard and his family to the WTC BDE and MTC-A.

Ranger Team Leader Initiative (RTLI) class 010-24 conducts daily physical training, a combat water survival assessment (CWSA), and Ranger Tactical Tasks (RTTs) in preparation for the Ranger Training and Assessment Course (RTAC) and Ranger School.

On Friday, 12 July, the Warrior Training Center Brigade (WTC BDE) was officially activated. COL Jon Gutauskas assumed command, while CSM Brock Snow assumed responsibility of the brigade. Both were accompanied by their Families. All nine subordinate battalions were represented in the ceremony. Major General Robert Davis, the Army National Guard Chief of Staff, officiated the ceremony. The WTC BDE thanked Mr. Thomas Siter for initiating the effort to establish the organization and for his service as the brigade director leading up to the assumption of command. Congratulations gentlemen!

“When the will is strong, everything is easy.”

SFC Devin Smith received the Order of Saint Maurice (OSM) from fellow OSM member MSG Robert Ehrreich. SFC Smith has served and deployed as a combat medic in the Infantry community and with joint special operations for 12 years. SFC Smith displays exceptional leadership and initiative as the Senior Drill Sergeant for the Prior Service- Army Integration Course (PS-AIC) at the Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne). He was responsible for building the comprehensive program of instruction designed to prepare prior service members of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard to return to service in all components of the U.S. Army, an initiative aligned with the Director of the Army National Guard’s vision. Congratulations SFC Smith!

HHC, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) recognized and promoted two hardworking NCOs! SGT Hadyn Redus and SGT Brennan Guinn were each promoted to Staff Sergeant. SSG Redus serves as a squad leader in HHC’s Support Platoon. SSG Guinn serves as the Battalion S4 NCOIC. Congratulations!

The Warrior Training Center BDE held a farewell gathering for SFC Nicole Edgington in appreciation for her service and achievements over the course of her tours at the WTC and to wish her the best of success in her next assignment. SFC Edgington served as the Brigade S1 NCOIC, Soldier Family Readiness Group (SFRG) NCOIC, and the Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) SARC. She was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Thank you, SFC Edgington!

SGT Garrett Walden completed Advanced Leaders Course at Ft. Knox, KY. SGT Walden serves at the Warrior Training Center BDE as the Motor NCO, responsible for the acquisition, accountability, and maintenance of the brigade’s vehicle fleet. Congratulations SGT Walden!

Congratulations to the Army’s newest fitness experts! The Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) / Master Fitness Trainer Course (MFTC) class 005-24 under Headquarters and Headquarters Company graduated 40 students. The H2F / MFTC trains enlisted leaders and officers in all aspects of the Army’s Physical Readiness Training program and H2F initiative. Students learn how to perform as unit advisors to their commanders on physical readiness issues and implement H2F within their units to optimize Soldiers’ readiness, improve performance, and increase career longevity. The H2F/MFTC 005-24 class Honor Graduate was CDT John Murphy, and the Instructor of the Cycle was SSG Cory Simon.

The Warrior Training Battalion’s Ranger Team Leader Initiative (RTLI) program graduated seven ARNG servicemembers in Ranger Class (RC) 006-24. This is the highest volume of one-station unit training (OSUT) Soldiers in a single Ranger School course in the program’s history. PFC Guilloteau (VA ARNG) was awarded his Ranger tab by CSM Chavez, the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade command sergeant major. RC 006-24 builds on the success from RC 005-24 that graduated six OSUT ARNG Soldiers. The RC 005-24 enlisted honor graduate was awarded to SPC Fancher (SC ARNG).

SFC Gerald Peck participated in a jump commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He and other members of the All Airborne Battalion re-created the jump that the 82nd Airborne Division made under fire in 1944 over Normandy, France. SFC Peck participated to honor George Popovich, a distant relative of his who served with 82nd Airborne on D-Day. SFC Peck serves at Alpha Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) as a Jumpmaster.

SSG Nicholas Linder and Drill Sergeant (SSG) Eric Binger graduated Airborne School this morning, earning their basic Airborne wings! Both serve at HHC, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) as instructors for the Prior Service - Army Integration Course (PS-AIC). SSG Binger volunteered from the Hawaii Army National Guard to assist as a drill sergeant and instructor, contributing to the successful ex*****on of PS-AIC class 002-24. Congratulations paratroopers!

SFC Joseph Brown was promoted to Master Sergeant and accompanied by his family. MSG Brown served at Alpha Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) as the Ranger Training and Assessment Course (RTAC) Platoon Sergeant. MSG Brown was recognized for his significant contribution, lasting impact, and excellent representation of Alpha Company, the Warrior Training Center, the Title 10 Active Guard and Reserve program, and the Minnesota Army National Guard. MSG Brown was presented the Order of Saint Maurice by MSG Robert Ehrreich. The Order of Saint Maurice is awarded by the National Infantry Association and the Chief of Infantry to recognize the infantry Soldiers who have served the Infantry community with distinction, demonstrated a significant contribution in support of the Infantry, and represent the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence, and dedication to duty. Congratulations MSG Brown!

Bravo Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) executes a mobile training team Pathfinder course at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. During the course, students are trained and evaluated on sling load operations, establishing helicopter landing zones and pick-up zones, and establishing and operating drop zones. Pathfinder is considered among the Army’s most academically challenging courses. Students must excel in mathematics and demonstrate a propensity for success in a high stress environment.

Students in Charlie Company’s Senior Gunner Course (SGC) conduct gunnery skills training on ammunition identification and all tasks pertaining to mounted weapons. SGC trains accomplished NCOs within Maneuver and Sustainment units to be gunnery experts and to assist commanders at all echelons in planning, executing, and evaluating crew mounted machine gun gunnery.

SSG Qadry Williams and SGT Zach Laaguiby rappelled into Saturday’s Columbus Lions football game for Military Appreciation Night at the Columbus Civic Center alongside Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade Soldiers. SSG Williams and SGT Laaguiby serve in Bravo Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) as Air Assault Instructors and Rappel Masters.

SFC Steven Kamp graduated Airborne School and earned his basic parachutist wings. SFC Kamp serves in Charlie Company, Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne) as a section NCOIC and instructor for the Abrams Training Assessment Course (ATAC) and Bradley Training Assessment Course (BTAC).

Congratulations to the newest Air Assault Soldiers of the Warrior Training Battalion (Airborne)! Upon completing “the ten toughest days in the Army,” 1LT Matthew Burns, Battalion S4 OIC, and SGT Michael Vazquez, Battalion Aid Station Medic, both earned their Air Assault wings. Bravo Company’s Air Assault Course trains and evaluates students on combat assault, sling loads, rappelling, physical fitness, and various other critical skills required to be an Air Assault Soldier.

The ARNG Warrior Training Center Brigade’s Aerial Delivery Safety, Training, & Readiness Assistance Program (AADSTRAP) is seeking Parachute Riggers to join the team. If you are interested, contact the AADSTRAP OIC, CPT Jose Gutierrez at [email protected].