News - Tag Illinois National Guard

Tag: Illinois National Guard

Illinois National Guard Recruiting Has Record February
March 18, 2025 — Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) commander, Lt. Col. Lance Frail, puts the tag line “love the process and you will succeed!” at the end of every email to his staff. “We talk a lot about loving the process and that it will lead you to success,” said Frail. “If you are doing the small things, always prospecting, you will be successful.” Of the 11 companies in RRB, eight have exceeded their recruiting goals each of the last three months. February was the most productive recruiting month since March of 2019. Four companies doubled their recruiting goal in February...

Eureka Soldier Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
March 18, 2025 — Jacob Beard, of Eureka, Illinois, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in a ceremony March 15 at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. Beard, the officer-in-charge of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), headquartered in Normal, grew up in Alexander, Illinois and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2005. After graduating basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he contracted as a cadet with the Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In 2006, he transferred to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 233rd Military Police Company where he became a platoon leader after commissioning from the WIU ROTC program in 2007. ...

Decatur Soldier Hangs Up Uniform after 32-Years of Military Service
March 12, 2025 — Col. Randy Edwards, of Decatur, former Chief of Staff, Illinois Army National Guard, retired March 11 during a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield. “We’ve known each other for 20 years, but this last half of our careers has intersected closely,” said Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. “I respect you immensely and I have been the benefactor of some of your hard work. I’m a better officer for having served with you and I know a lot of officers in this room can say that.”...

Remembrance Ceremony Marks 34th Anniversary of Desert Storm 
March 6, 2025 — Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Barton, of Greenview, was 12 years old when the Persian Gulf War, known as Operation Desert Storm, started in 1991. “I remember when the conflict broke out, I bought a copy of each edition of newspaper our gas station had,” said Barton, who delivered the keynote address during the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual Desert Storm Remembrance Ceremony Feb. 28 at the Illinois State Military Museum. “I still have those newspapers today.”...

Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Featured in Documentary About Life After Combat
February 27, 2025 — When Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Quentin Corrington was about three years old, his father died of an accidental overdose. As Corrington grew up in Decatur, Illinois, his uncles, Lt. Col. Isaac Rademacher, Master Sgt. Joe Rademacher, both of whom serve in the U.S. Army, and filmmaker Jake Rademacher, stepped up to fill the void. ...

Unit ‘Built on Soldier Care’ Celebrates Achievements During European Command Deployment
February 6, 2025 — Approximately 25 Soldiers of the Chicago-based 1863rd Financial Management Support Detachment gathered with their families on Feb. 2 in Oak Brook to celebrate the accomplishments of the unit during its 11-month long deployment to Poland...

34th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade Supported Historic Missions in Middle East
February 5, 2025 — While most Americans read about events in the Middle East in the news last year, nearly 300 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Chicago-based 34th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade (IDSB) and 433rd Signal Company were there supporting U.S. military logistics and communications missions throughout the region...

‘Family-first, Soldier-first’ Leader Retires from Illinois Army National Guard
February 3, 2025 — Sgt. Maj. Chad Bell, of Morton, described as a "family-first, Soldier-first" leader, the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade’s Operations Sergeant Major and Chief Operations Sergeant, retired after more than 26 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard during a ceremony Jan. 31 at The Barn at Bull Run Park in Morton...

Mahomet Soldier Rises to Sergeant Major in Illinois Army National Guard
January 27, 2025 — Nearly 20 years after enlisting in the Illinois Army National Guard, Kyle Bishop of Mahomet, the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s operations noncommissioned officer, was promoted to sergeant major in a ceremony Jan. 24 at the brigade’s headquarters in Urbana...

ILNG Senior State Property Book Officer Retires After 27-Year Career
January 27, 2025 — Chief Warrant Officer 4 Keith Hildebrandt, who enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard following his graduation from high school in 1998, was honored for his 27 years of military service during a retirement ceremony Jan. 22 at the Illinois State Military Museum...

'Discipline, Sacrifice, Teamwork': 126th ARW Earns Metcalf Trophy

Grit, Courage and Resilience Define Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Champions

BROTHERHOOD BORN IN BATTLE – Veterans Reflect on Role in 2013 Defense of Forward Operating Base Ghazni

Team of Illinois Army National Guard Medics Respond to Real-Life Emergency During Northern Strike Exercise in Michigan

Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School Graduates 22 Leaders

Quinn Honored for Nearly 3 Decades of Service and ‘Creating a Family’ of Soldiers

Two Illinois Army National Guard Teams Built Partner Capacity in Strategic Regions

Already a Coach, Artist, and ‘Brady Bunch’ Dad – Army Officer is Now a Major

U.S. and Malaysian soldiers conduct joint walking blood bank training

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks Appointed as United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day

Illinois' Jason Benhart Recognized as One of the Top Inspector General Civilians

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work

First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service

Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska

‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough of Peoria Retires after Nearly Four Decades of Military Leadership

Illinois Army National Guard Aviator Wins Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award

Illinois National Guard's Director of Joint Staff Selected For Key Army Intelligence Role

The Power of Transformational Leadership: CMSgt Retires After 27 Years of Service

Illinois National Guard Leaders Welcome 10 New Second Lieutenants During Spring ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies

Proud New American: Spc. Edna Carrena Shares Her Journey To U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service

Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission

Belvidere Officer Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard After Two and a Half Decades of Selfless Service

Springfield-Based Military Police Co. Prepares for Deployment to Alaska

Illinois National Guard Soldiers step onto the range and step up to lead

Soldier Credits Gold Star Scholarships for Path to Success

Bloomington Soldier Credits Success to Giant Life Lessons

The 34th Division Sustainment Brigade (DSB) Change of Command

Fellow Veterans, Family Gather to Remember Soldier who Died During Annual Training Accident in 1999

Chicago White Sox Knock It Out of the Park, Answer Call for Replacement Memento Honoring Fallen Service Member

Illinois Air National Guard Judge Advocate Adjourns Career

Illinois National Guard 33rd IBCT Commander and Cavalry Officer Highlights Polish-American Military Bonds on Pulaski Day

Guard Officer Retires After 32 years; Has No Plans to Give Spouse’s Liver Back

Bryant Promoted to Major in Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Army National Guard Commander Honors Captain Walter Dyett Award Recipient

Springfield Community Gathers to Remember 35th Anniversary of Desert Storm Cease Fire

Illinois National Guard Soldier Promoted to Staff Sergeant in Milan-based Unit

Illinois Army National Guard Field Artillery Battalion Joins With Community to Give Blood

From Soldier Care to Leadership: Lt. Col. Lionel Gonzalez Retires After 23 Years

Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Instructor Retires After 23 Years of Service

Brave Band 2026 Strengthens Multinational Readiness as U.S. National Guard Marks 11 Years of Partnership

Woodstock-Based ‘Honeybadgers’ Named Illinois Army National Guard’s Top Recruiting Company for Third Straight Year

Staff Sgt. Francisco Orozco Named Illinois’ Top Army National Guard Recruiter for Second Year, Earns National Recognition

Small Store, Big Impact: Illinois National Guard Soldiers Help Exchange Boost Soldier Morale at Forward Operating Site Karliki, Poland

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Ramos Named Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting Rookie of the Year

Illinois National Guard Honors Former Guardsman Abe Lincoln

Cold-Weather Capable: IL ANG PA Airmen Test Limits During NS 26-1

Lake in the Hills Veterans Service Officer Promoted in the Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Air National Guard’s New Top Enlisted Leader: ‘Get All the Training You Can’

404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts Change of Command during Brigade Ball

National Guard Officer Retires from Army after 21 Years, Continues Service with VFW

Illinois National Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement

Gov. Pritzker Names Colonel Steven B. Rice as Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard

725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled

Upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38 years in uniform.

TAG Holiday Message

Approximately 250 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

1-178th Infantry Welcomes New Commander

Approximately 265 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

Illinois National Guard Unit From Pontiac Played Vial Role in U.S. Military Operations in Somalia

Freeport-Based Military Police Unit Returns From Critical Mission in the Tundra

Illinois National Guard Regional Training Institute Gets New Commander

Illinois National Guard Soldier Becomes Naturalized U.S. Citizen During Ceremony

Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Support Bright Star 25 in Egypt

Illinois National Guardsmen Compete in the Annual TAG Match 2025 to Test and Enhance Marksmanship

Two childhood friends from the Illinois Army National Guard compete together in the ILNG TAG Match 2025

Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Welcomes New Director

Elmhurst, Ill.. Officer Takes Command of Illinois Army National Guard Infantry Brigade

Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the Illinois State Fair

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd Joins 8th Infantry Association in Scholarship Presentations

Sullivan-based Logistics Unit Returns After Deployment to Africa and Europe

Public Affairs Unit Returns after Historic Deployment to Europe

Illinois National Guard to Partner with Portugal as Part of National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program

Brig. Gen. Jorge M. Fonseca Promoted and Appointed Director of the Joint Staff

Retiring Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Director Led Academy With Vision and Passion

Illinois Army National Guard's Deputy Assistant Adjutant General Selected as Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army South

Huntley Soldier Assumes Command of 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion 

Approximately 1,370 Illinois Guard Members Were Activated for Overseas Duty  