Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Kevin G. Little, of Franklin, Illinois, was promoted to colonel in a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Oct. 15.
“This is a big day in the Little family,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Illinois National Guard, and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. “The colonel rank stands alone because colonels run the Army. Lieutenant Colonel Little does a fantastic job of running the Army in logistics. He’s probably the smartest, most dedicated logistician in the state of Illinois.”
Little enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1995, serving with the 233rd Military Police Company, based in Springfield. In 2001, he commissioned through the Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School.
Little has served in a variety of leadership positions with the 3637th Maintenance Company, based in Springfield, Illinois, and the 126th Maintenance Company, based in Quincy, Illinois, and in numerous domestic operations including Hurricane Katrina response operations in 2005 and as a company commander in flood response operations in 2008.
Little deployed to the Kunar Province, Afghanistan with the 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team from 2011 to 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“I couldn’t stand up here without the support of my family,” he said. “I have an overwhelming amount of support from family and friends.”
The newly-promoted colonel has held a number of staff and leadership positions in the Illinois Army National Guard including logistics for the 232nd Combat Service Support Battalion, based in Springfield, Illinois; 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion, based in Decatur, Illinois, officer in charge; Commander, 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion Forward Support Company, based in Decatur; Commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, based in Springfield; Executive Officer, 108th Sustainment Brigade, based in Chicago; Deputy Chief of Staff for Information Management; Logistics Management Officer and Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.
Little offered advice to friends and family in attendance.
“Develop a people first mentality,” he said. “Listen to and empower your team members.”