Source: United States Navy
When U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Nickolas Mohr graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in September 2025, he left with more than a master’s degree in computer science — he carried with him a new way of thinking about complex problems.
Source: United States Army
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Training and Innovation Facility soon will undergo modernization changes that will strengthen its readiness to train Soldiers, including creating an innovation classroom, a high-tech classroom, a simulator room, a locker room and a mock urban village for training.
Plans also call for the facility to eventually have a drone racecourse and host competitions.
“We are building this facility out so that everybody is going to get a better level of education,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea, the facility’s officer in charge. “We truly are trying to embrace building smarter Soldiers for the future Army. In addition, we’re giving them the tools and training them how to use those tools. The more tools we can put in their back pocket as they move forward, the more ready they’re going to be for future fights.”
The facility has been a beehive of activity over the last few months. On Feb. 19, a team of Soldiers from the facility won the innovation competition at the U.S. Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition in Alabama. Since then, activity at the facility has “exploded,” Shea said.
“We’re going through a massive amount of changes,” said Shea, who is assigned to M Company, 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team. “This facility has become a massive hub for training, and our lab space has never been busier.”
Since the Best Drone Warfighter Competition, the UAS Training and Innovation Facility has been designated as a training site for the 15X military occupational specialty transition course and as the primary training site for drones selected in the Department of War’s Drone Gauntlet competition.
As a result of these additional programs, construction is underway on upgrades to the facility, and the number of full-time employees has increased from six to 16.
“We’ve had a lot of new people come in, a lot of building changes and a lot of equipment changes,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brent Wehr, course manager for the 15X MOS transition course. “There’s been a lot of big changes here.”
A ‘heavy lift’
The UAS facility was established in 2007. Initially, it was home to 28th Infantry Division units that used the RQ-7 Shadow, a fixed-wing UAS with a 20-foot wingspan, designed for surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition.
The Army stopped using Shadows in January 2024, and Soldiers at the facility then began experimenting with small, first-person view, or FPV, drones as they awaited a new mission. New missions arrived this year in the form of the 15X MOS-T course and the Drone Gauntlet training program.
Pennsylvania was selected to be one of two states, along with Mississippi, to host the 15X MOS-T course for the reserve component. The course is part of the effort to merge two MOSs, 15W (Shadow UAS operator) and 15E (UAS maintainer), Shea said.
“The idea moving forward is an operator and a maintainer will be the same thing, and that’s where we get the 15X,” Shea said.
The first class is expected to begin in October, and Shea expects six classes per year to be conducted at the UASTIF.
The Drone Gauntlet competition, meanwhile, is part of the Department of War’s “Drone Dominance” guidance issued in 2025. Through the program, the Unmanned Aircraft System Training and Innovation Facility, or UASTIF, will receive eight drones that are selected during the Drone Gauntlet, and Soldiers at the facility will receive training on the drones from their manufacturers.
The Soldiers will then train Soldiers from active- and reserve-component Army units selected to receive the drones.
The UASTIF was selected for this program because of its close relationship with Tobyhanna Army Depot in northeast Pennsylvania and Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, as well as the work the facility was already doing in the drone space, Shea said.
“We get the new equipment training from the vendor, and then our job is to train all of active duty as well as some National Guard that have been selected for it,” Shea said. “It’s quite the heavy lift as we go through this.”
Upgrades on the horizon
With the new programs, significant changes are coming to the facility. A maintenance area that was previously converted into an innovation lab will be expanded to become an innovation classroom. The lab currently has several soldering stations and three 3D printers, with two more printers on the way.
“It’s a space where we can instruct in soldering skills, printing skills, everything like that,” Shea said. “It’s designed to be lab space for Soldiers to receive instruction and give our own people the space to work, tear apart systems, repair systems and everything else along those lines.”
The 3D printers are used to prototype drone parts or to print repair parts that may have broken on an existing drone.
Elsewhere in the facility, a high-tech classroom, a simulator room and a locker room are being added, as well as office space for the facility’s full-time personnel.
In addition to changes inside the UASTIF, several upgrades are underway outside. The facility has had an indoor drone obstacle course for about a year and recently built an outdoor course. They are both made primarily from construction materials such as lumber and PVC pipe. The indoor course is where Soldiers first start learning to fly drones, and the outdoor obstacle course was designed to mimic flying through windows and doors in an urban setting, Shea said.
In the coming weeks, a mock urban village made from shipping containers will be moved from elsewhere on Fort Indiantown Gap’s grounds to the facility’s grounds to create a UAS-specific urban operations site. Eventually, Shea said, the facility will have a drone racecourse and host competitions.
An exciting time
Wehr, who has worked at the UASTIF for six years and has been involved in UAS operations for his entire 12-year military career, said it’s an exciting time to be at the facility.
“Shadow was fun back in the day,” said Wehr, who is assigned to M Company, 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team. “It was a more standard schedule, but with all these changes it’s definitely more exciting and more hands-on than it used to be.”
Today’s UAS operators have to know more than just how to fly one; they need to be able to fix them as well, Wehr said. The UASTIF will help Soldiers learn to do both.
“I think it’s a great facility,” Wehr said. “It’s a perfect place to learn how to fly and how to fix drones.”
The UASTIF was already a great facility, Shea said, and with all the changes coming, it’s going to be even more technologically advanced. He noted that six months ago the facility didn’t have any 3D printers or soldering stations, and its classroom space was limited.
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
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The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard
Source: United States Army
Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
VICENZA, Italy — When U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chad Spencer was a young infantry Marine deployed overseas, he wanted something simple: a comfortable place to sleep.
It was one of the small things that mattered most after long days in the field — the kind of thing people take for granted until they don’t have it.
Years later, Spencer carries that memory with him as an Army engineer. Now, when he attends planning events for exercises like Justified Accord, he looks at the mission through the lens of taking care of the next generation of service members.
That mindset helped shape discussions during the Justified Accord 2027 Initial Planning Event that took place June 8-12, when U.S., Kenyan and Tanzanian planners gathered to refine exercise requirements and explore how innovation can improve training, operations and support for multinational forces in the field.
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) hosted the planning event that gathered U.S. military and interagency planners, as well as representatives from the Dutch army, the Czech army, Kenya Defence Forces and Tanzania People’s Defence Force, to continue developing the framework for Justified Accord 2027.
Led by SETAF-AF, Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command’s premier exercise in East Africa. The exercise focuses on strengthening multinational readiness, improving crisis-response capabilities and building interoperability among participating forces.
“Collaboration during JA27- IPE goes far beyond event planning,” said Kenyan Brig. Gen. Samuel Kimani, the lead Kenyan planner for Justified Accord 2027. “It translates the conceptual framework established during the concept decision event into concrete, synchronized activities. This is where our practical commitment to interoperability takes root.”
Throughout the week, planners discussed exercise objectives, training locations, movement requirements, logistical support, public affairs coordination and ways to integrate technology and innovation into the exercise.
Innovation does not always mean creating something new from the ground up, according to Spencer. Sometimes, it means finding a better way to solve a familiar problem.
As an Army engineer, Spencer said that planning events provide an opportunity to look at what service members will need in the field and identify practical solutions early. That can include everything from infrastructure and life support, to how units move, communicate and sustain themselves during an exercise.
“I always think back to being a younger service member in the field,” Spencer said. “That experience is why I do what I do now to make sure troops are taken care of.”
Those discussions are especially important during an exercise like Justified Accord, where forces from multiple nations and U.S. government agencies must operate together across different locations and training environments. By identifying requirements early, planners can better support the military personnel and civilian partners who will execute the exercise on the ground.
“Through the deliberate coordination of movements, exercise locations and logistical requirements, planners ensure participants from all contributing nations can operate seamlessly as a unified force,” Kimani said. “The goal remains constant: to prepare our forces for effective and efficient crisis response by drawing on international best practices, integrating technology and innovation, and fostering mutual respect that endures long after the exercise concludes.”
The initial planning event also allowed U.S., Kenyan and Tanzanian planners to continue building relationships ahead of future planning events. Those relationships are central to the success of Justified Accord, where shared understanding and coordination are just as important as the training itself.
“We’re looking forward to working with our Kenyan and Tanzanian partners during Justified Accord,” said U.S. Army Col. Benjamin Roark, SETAF-AF’s G7 director. “During this initial planning event, we made great strides toward building a successful exercise. Bringing our partners and allies together here in Italy, including senior planners from the Kenya Defence Forces and Tanzania People’s Defence Force, helps ensure we are aligned early in the planning process.”
As planning continues, SETAF-AF and partner-nation planners will further refine training objectives, confirm support requirements and continue identifying ways to bring innovation into the exercise.
For Spencer, that work comes back to a simple idea: taking care of the people who will carry out the mission.
The same small details he remembers from his time in the field now inform how he approaches planning for others. Whether that means improved infrastructure, better coordination or new technology, the goal is to ensure participants have what they need to train effectively.
Justified Accord 2027 is scheduled to take place Feb. 19 to March 5, 2027, in Kenya and Tanzania.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
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Source: United States Army
WEST POINT, New York -New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Jonathan Cross, a Lakeview resident, is now the top enlisted leader for more than 4,000 Soldiers of the Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Cross assumed responsibility as new top enlisted leader during a June 14 ceremony at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
The brigade is headquartered in Syracuse and has units across New York and in Massachusetts.
The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has a long lineage of history dating back to World War I where the unit saw its first major action in 1918 in France as the then 27th Infantry Division. Nicknamed the “Orion Brigade” the unit’s name plays off the name of Maj. Gen. John F. O’Ryan, the 27th Division Commander in World War I.
The unit’s patch is designed with seven stars in red on a black circled background with a monogram NYD for New York Division in red. Black stands for iron, the red for blood.
“The mission of the Infantry remains clear, to close with and destroy the enemy,” said Cross. “This brigade exists for one reason, to fight and win our nation’s wars”, he added.
Cross deployed to Iraq in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom completing his active duty obligation then subsequently joining the New York National Guard from 2005 to 2007 before transferring to the North Carolina National Guard and deploying for a second time in his career to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This is Cross’ second position as Command Sergeant Major. He previously served as the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment senior enlisted leader.
Col. Bradley Frank, the outgoing commander of 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, presided over the ceremony and said, “you bring a well rounded foundation that will serve this brigade exceptionally well. You are known for leading from the front and getting into the mud with your Soldiers, exactly the kind of leader this formation needs.”
Frank moved out of the command position, replaced by Col. Matthew Kilgore, following the ceremony.
As brigade command sergeant major, Cross will be responsible for the readiness and training of more than 4,000 enlisted Soldiers within the 27th.
Cross, who is a Hamburg police lieutenant in civilian life, enlisted in the Army in 2002. While on active duty he served with 1st Battalion 509th, Parachute Infantry Regiment (Airborne) before leaving active duty and joining the New York Army National Guard in 2005.
In 2013, Cross transferred back to the New York National Guard serving as a Mortar Section Leader with the Alpha Troop 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment. In 2016, he reached the rank of first sergeant and served as top enlisted leader of Charlie Troop 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment.
His most recent deployment occurred in 2017 when he mobilized to Ukraine in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, assigned to the Joint Multi-National Training Group-Ukraine.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Master Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Combat Aviation Badge, the Drivers and Mechanics Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Cross’ military education includes Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Infantry Mortar Leaders Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Battalion Career Counselor Course, Route Reconnaissance Clearance Course, Maneuver Senior Leaders Course, Air Assault, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course, the Cavalry Leaders Course, and the Sergeants Major Course.
He and his wife, Rachel, have two daughters, Alana and Ainslee
Source: United States Army
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – For the better part of the past 9 years, it was just the three of them. A mother and her two sons navigating life side by side.
Through challenges, loss, and perseverance, they built a bond through resilience. Years later, that bond would lead them to answer a call much bigger than themselves.
At 42 years old, Katherine Zito enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a Signals Intelligence Analyst. Standing alongside her was her 20-year-old son, Matthew Zito, who enlisted as a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Repairer.
What began as a joke eventually became a life-changing decision.
Matthew had come across a social media post about the military raising the enlistment age limit and sent it to his mom, half-jokingly. Katherine laughed it off, at first. When the age-waiver policy changed, she suddenly found herself asking whether this was something she should seriously consider.
After her husband lost his battle with cancer eight-and-a-half-years ago, Katherine became a widow and devoted herself to raising her family. She was a dedicated wrestling mom, traveling with her sons’ teams and supporting them every step of the way. After years of putting others first, she found herself asking a simple question: What if this opportunity was for me, too?
“I can’t encourage my kids to take advantage of opportunities like this if I’m not willing to look into them myself.” Katherine said. “The benefits apply no matter your age. This allows me to finish college, serve my community, and opens doors to a new career path if I choose to pursue one. It’s never too late to step into something greater than yourself. I’ve spent years taking care of everyone else. This was my choice to do something for myself.”
Her decision is also deeply connected to her son’s decision to join. She knew if he could do it, so could she.
“I didn’t have a choice in the struggles we went through,” Katherine said. “But I did have a choice to do this. It’s never too late. “Whether you’re 20 or 42, service isn’t defined by age. It’s defined by the decision to show up, commit, and be part of something bigger than yourself. We also want to make my husband and Matthew’s dad proud.”
Matthew’s path to service was inspired by many of the same values. As he prepared for college at Drexel University in Philadelphia, he saw the Guard as an opportunity to gain valuable skills, help pay for his education, and open future career paths. The military offered a way to invest in his future while serving something bigger than himself.
“The military is going to open up so many career opportunities for me. I will get to learn and be paid to learn a skill that I cannot learn anywhere else. I am excited to see what career opportunities this opens for me, and to also be alongside this journey with my mom.” Matthew said.
With his mother by his side, Matthew learned long before enlistment what resilience truly looks like. He watched her overcome adversity, sacrifice for her family, and continue moving forward despite every obstacle life placed in her path.
Matthew is scheduled to leave for Basic Combat Training this July, and his mom is scheduled to leave in January 2027. This allows both of them to be available to support each other and to be there for their family and on their graduation day.
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard
Source: United States Army
TAPA, Estonia – Soldiers from the U.S., Great Britain and France participated in a commemorative Bir Hakeim 10K mud race at Tapa Army Base, Estonia, June 10, 2026. The event honored the legacy of the Free French defenders at the Battle of Bir Hakeim, a key engagement in the North African campaign of World War II that showcased the determination of Free French forces against a larger enemy force.
The race served as an opportunity for service members from allied nations to honor shared military history while strengthening bonds across the NATO alliance. Participants were required to overcome a series of physical challenges, including waist-deep mud and high obstacles. The race tested their endurance, determination and resilience to honor the defenders at Bir Hakeim.
“I’d say the race was about remembering the physical hardships French service members went through,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Gage Leavitt, a race participant and military police officer assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company. “Back then, they dealt with a lot worse conditions than just mud and going over obstacles. Running the race helped put into perspective the hard work and sacrifices made by those who served before us.”
Hosted by the French Foreign Legion, the event brought together soldiers from multiple NATO nations to challenge themselves side-by-side while commemorating the battle’s historical significance. Throughout the course, participants relied on teamwork to navigate difficult obstacles, often helping and encouraging one another while running.
For Leavitt, the event highlighted the importance of cooperation among allied forces and reflected the relationships that support NATO’s collective defense mission.
“We’re all soldiers, and if hard times come, it’s the people to our left and right that we’re going to rely on,” Leavitt said. “Events like this help build those relationships and remind us that we have to support each other and work together.”
V Corps is the U.S. Army’s only forward-deployed corps, serving as the senior tactical headquarters for Army forces in Eastern Europe to deter conflict and provide combat-ready forces alongside our NATO Allies. V Corps is operationalizing and expanding the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative with Allies, rapidly integrating emerging technologies into training and tactical plans.
Source: United States Army
OKLAHOMA CITY — A groundbreaking new artificial intelligence tool developed by an Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier is set to transform the way the state processes military awards, potentially saving administrative staff more than 61,000 hours of paperwork and allowing them to focus more on supporting Soldiers and mission readiness.
Staff Sgt. Herbert Hailey, an information technology specialist assigned to the Oklahoma Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, developed the tool after being asked by his battalion’s personnel officer to streamline the process of identifying Guardsmen eligible for time-in-service awards.
The traditional awards process requires administrative personnel to manually review each Soldier’s NGB-23A retirement points record, evaluate service history and calculate years of qualifying service.
Drawing on skills gained during a specialized Oklahoma Army National Guard-hosted artificial intelligence and data training course delivered by Skillquest, Hailey used advanced prompting within the Army Vantage platform to develop an AI-powered widget that automates much of that work.
At launch, the widget processes data to determine eligibility for the Oklahoma Good Conduct Medal, with plans to expand its capabilities to include the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and Oklahoma Long Service Ribbon.
“Our priority is taking care of Soldiers,” said Sgt. Lorelei Hubbard, an administrative noncommissioned officer in the OKARNG Recruiting and Retention Battalion. “But manual record scrubs for awards like the Oklahoma Good Conduct Medal can take hours per Soldier. This widget represents a massive leap forward in our administrative capabilities. Ultimately, it ensures our Soldiers receive the accurate, hard-earned recognition they deserve.”
Hailey said his development of the awards widget is not just about streamlining processes.
“It’s about creating better quality of life for our staff members while positively impacting our service population’s readiness. It’s all linked, it’s an ecosystem and I’m just the guy trying to retire the ‘struggle bus’ one prompt at a time,” Hailey said.
The tool reads the digital contents of a Soldier’s NGB-23A, identifies qualifying years of service and determines eligibility for awards.
The administrative savings are already significant. Within the OKARNG’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion alone, submitting all RRB-assigned Soldiers for a single award would normally require approximately 483 hours of administrative labor.
When scaled across the Oklahoma National Guard, the tool is projected to save more than 20,400 hours per award cycle. Once expanded to process additional time-in-service awards, projected savings could exceed 61,000 hours across the force.
By eliminating thousands of hours of manual administrative work, the innovation allows personnel professionals to spend less time processing paperwork and more time supporting Soldiers, units and mission readiness.
“Staff Sgt. Hailey’s initiative demonstrates the kind of innovation that keeps the Oklahoma National Guard moving forward,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “By identifying a challenge and developing a practical solution, he’s helping save valuable time across the force. Guardsmen at every level are finding new ways to solve problems, improve efficiency and allow our Soldiers and Airmen to focus on what matters most: remaining ready to support our state and federal missions.”
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard
Source: United States Army
WEST POINT, New York -New York Army National Guard Col. Matthew Kilgore, a Cornwall resident, assumed command of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which is headquartered in Syracuse, during a Sunday June 14 ceremony at his alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Kilgore, previously served as the chief of staff for the 53rd Troop Command headquartered at the Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor, New York. He received his commission at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, presided over the ceremony.
“We know you are the right leader for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as you are preparing for upcoming overseas deployments,” Shields said. “Keep focusing on your people and building combat capable units.”
In his new role, Kilgore oversees over 4,000 Soldiers across New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Syracuse, New York at the Syracuse Armory, both 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment and 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment have units in Massachusetts, with 2nd Squadron also having assets in Rhode Island.
“I am truly honored and humbled to stand in front of you today as your next commander,” said Kilgore.
“First and foremost, my amazing family that’s here. My lovely wife Dawn, thank you so much for [your] patience, your support and taking care of our family so I can continue to do these crazy Army jobs,” Kilgore said.
“To my children, Ryan and Josie, thank you for your sacrifices, and thank you for just being the amazing young adults that you are,” he added.
Kilgore thanked New York Army National Guard leaders for the opportunity and their confidence in him. “I appreciate the guidance and mentorship you have shown and will take all of that into this critical position”, he said.
The former commander, Col. Bradley Frank, expressed his gratitude to senior leaders for placing trust in him to serve as brigade commander. He said, “I didn’t’ truly know what brigade command would bring, but I certainly did not expect it to bring me back to nearly the exact spot I commissioned 24 short years ago.”
Frank, also a West Point graduate, thanked Soldiers throughout the entire 27th IBCT formation, his wife Krista, and sons, Henry, Jacob, and Isaac for their unwavering support throughout his journey in the Army.
“Matt, you are taking the guidon of a formation that is trained, cohesive, and fully committed to excellence,” Frank told Kilgore. “Best of luck, you have an outstanding team standing with you,” he added.
“It has been the greatest honor of my career to command this brigade.”
Kilgore’s deployments include mobilizations to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as serving in support of civil authorities both in a state and federal capacity.
In 2008, he transitioned to the New York Army National Guard and was selected for the Active Guard and Reserve program in 2009. He’s led Infantry formations from platoon to the battalion level in the New York National Guard, and now he will lead at the brigade level as commander of the 27th IBCT.
During the 6 years he served on active duty, he fulfilled assignments as Rifle Platoon Leader, Anti-tank Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and Information Warfare Officer and COIC Battle Captain with the G3, 1st Calvary Division.
As a guardsmen, he served as an executive officer for the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, and as the commander of A Company of the New York Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
He’s commanded the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, and served as the operations officer for the 53rd Troop Command. He’s also served as operations officer for the New York Army National Guard and for the New York National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters.
Kilgore’s military education includes the Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, Advanced Operations Course, Defense Strategy Course, Air Assault School, Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College, and the Reserve Component National Security Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Kilgore holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Source: United States Army
WIESBADEN, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden participates in the 2026 Hessentag in Fulda, joining the festivities with a recruiting container and information booth.
The Hessentag is Germany’s oldest and largest state festival, first established in 1961 to foster a sense of community in the newly formed state of Hesse.
Each year, a different Hessian city hosts this ten-day event, which features a vibrant mix of culture, business, entertainment, and politics. This year the 63rd Hessentag takes place June 12 to 21 in Fulda.
Visitors can enjoy concerts and shows by well-known national and international artists, exhibitions from ministries, the military, clubs, and local businesses, as well as a wide variety of regional foods and drinks.
Garrison Wiesbaden is represented by ten volunteers who, alongside colleagues from the 2nd Signal Brigade and United States Army Europe and Africa, bring a diverse range of backgrounds — from full-time employees and trainees to dual students — offering visitors a chance to learn more about the U.S. Army as an employer and partner.Together, these German civilian employees are showcasing their training and career paths.
Four of the young professionals attending the event are:
Anouk König– metal worker apprentice building ramps and handrails; plans to become a technician.
Laura Oesterheld– office management apprentice rotating through Human Resources, the Housing Office, and the Public Affairs Office; aims to earn aBusiness Administratorqualification.
Niko Perez– former metal worker now managing locking systems for up to 20,000 doors; values steady hours and training options.
Vanessa Scherf– dual civil engineering student gaining international experience and learning both German and U.S. construction law.
“The U.S. Army in Wiesbaden is also a part of Hesse and we want to show that on the yearly Hessentag,” said Thomas Schulze, Workforce Development Program Manager. “We are very thankful that the Bundeswehr provides that opportunity as it is a great partner.”
This presence highlights the strong connection between the U.S. Forces and the Hessen community. Through interactive displays and engagement,U. S. Army GarrisonWiesbaden aims to foster understanding, showcase opportunities, and demonstrate its role as an integral part of life in Hessen.
“The Hessentag offers us exposure to a wide audience. Many visitors are unaware that Local Nationals work in the Garrison Wiesbaden,” said Schulze.
Currently, the garrison workforce at USAG Wiesbaden is comprised of more than 79%local national hires.
“I decided to apply to the U.S. Army because it was important to me not just to sit in an office, but to interact with people—to provide employee support,” explained Oesterheld.“I also wanted to work for an organization that stood for certain values, and the U.S. Army truly is a very family-oriented employer. And I love the variety the Army offers.”
Working as a Local National at USAG Wiesbaden combines secure, collective-agreement-backed pay and regular bonuses with an exceptional work-life balance featuring 30 vacation days, regular hours, and extra time off on American holidays.
Additionally, employees enjoy unique cultural perks like on-post gym access, American food, and a diverse, international environment that offers excellent career growth, apprenticeships, and dual-study programs.
“There’s also a real sense of appreciation here,” Oesterheld added. ”Once you’ve done your job and built up trust, you’re given the independence to work on your own. It’s a goodatmosphere and simply a different kind of employer—an exceptional one. It bridges two worlds—and it’s simply not a boring job.”
Persons interested in working with the U.S. Army can stop by the recruitment both at during the Hessetage or visit: https://portal.chra.army.mil/mnrs
Source: United States Navy
The U.S. Navy proudly announces Burlington Navy Week, scheduled for Aug. 24-30, 2026. As part of a nationwide outreach effort, Burlington Navy Week will bring Sailors to engage directly with communities across the Lake Champlain region through a series of performances, educational activities, community events, and service projects.