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Category: 86th IBCT (MTN)

The Vermont National Guard has a new substance abuse prevention coordinator. In January 2022 John Brutzman was hired for the position. Brutzman is also an M-Day Solider with six years in service. Brutzman works at the Vt. Guard Behavioral Health Office at Camp Johnson. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

May 4, 2022

Meet Vt. Guard’s new substance abuse prevention coordinator

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Eliminating the stigma around seeking mental health services is a goal for John Brutzman, the Vermont Guard’s new substance abuse prevention coordinator. “When I started this job, I would often hear that a solider could get trouble for seeking psychological health services, it’s just not the case, and I would like to see that stigma eradicated,” he said.

U.S. Army Sgt. Avah Eaton, a paralegal specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, takes part in an inner-perimeter security patrol Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, March 2021. While deployed, Eaton served as battalion paralegal and took on additional human resource specialist tasks to assist the unit. (courtesy photo)

April 12, 2022

Vermont Soldier describes career path as 'a good unexpected'

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For U.S. Army Sgt. Avah Eaton joining the Vermont Army National Guard brought many unexpected results. Among them, included applying for and accepting an offer to serve full-time in a human resources capacity with 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain). Recently returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia, Eaton reenlisted when offered the Active Guard Reserve position.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 172 Infantry (Mountain) Headquarters Company and C Company, Vermont National Guard, conduct mountain training with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces at the RSLF Mountain Warfare School in Saudi Arabia. Between October and November 2021, approximately 70 U.S. Army Soldiers attended the training. (Courtesy photo)

April 1, 2022

Vermont Guard Soldiers hone mountain skills with Saudi Arabian Special Forces

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For the first time, a conventional U.S. Army National Guard unit conducted training with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces Instructors at the Royal Saudi Land Forces Mountain Warfare School.

Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, set up their bivouac site in the Arctic Circle, March 3, 2014 during Guerrier Nordique extreme cold weather training in Canada.

March 18, 2022

Vermont Guardsmen take part in combined extreme cold weather exercise in Canada

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — A small group of Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers made a cold and wintery trek into the Canadian wilderness starting at the end of February.

U.S. Army Spc. Timothy Clark, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment Mountain, Maneuver Battalion, Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, patrols near Gate 1 Jarinje in Kosovo, Feb. 3, 2022. Commanders use scout data to inform decisions and plan future missions which support a safe and secure environment for all people of Kosovo.

March 14, 2022

86th IBCT (MTN) completes KFOR mission

FORT BLISS, Texas — The 29th U.S. deployment to Kosovo Force (KFOR) is at an end, and with it comes reflection and a glance at what is next. For the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), the sky is the limit.

National Guard Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division pack a U.S. Air Force-operated C-17 in August following the completion of their mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. Deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, about 400 Soldiers from 34th ID were temporarily relocated to Kabul, Afghanistan, and have since arrived safely in Kuwait, where they are assigned. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Charles Anderson)

March 10, 2022

12 Days in August: Vermont Guardsmen reflect on Operation Allies Refuge

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — When Spc. Ryan Moon and Spc. Riley Benoit deployed to Southwest Asia with Task Force Avalanche, the mortarmen did not anticipate a 12-day mission in Afghanistan, taking part in the evacuation of thousands as part of Operation Allies Refuge.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Vermont National Guard, sits in the cabin of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

March 3, 2022

Soldier Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — When Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic, joined the New York Army National Guard, she did not anticipate the course her military career would take. “I originally enlisted in the New York Army National Guard when I was 17, right out of high school,” Johnson explained. “My dad was in the military, so he always pushed me in that direction, I never really knew I wanted to be in the Army, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field first.”

The District of Columbia National Guard will help U.S. Capitol and D.C. police at traffic control points in the nation's capital during anticipated First Amendment protests in February and March 2022. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III approved the assistance of up to 400 DCNG members and 300 Guard members from outside the District of Columbia.

Feb. 23, 2022

National Guard to back law enforcement at DC demonstrations

WASHINGTON — As many as 700 members of the National Guard will be available to help local law enforcement during First Amendment demonstrations expected in the nation’s capital.Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III approved requests from

Spc. Deedra Irwin, a human resources specialist with 86th Troop Command, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, fires a Biathlon rifle during a practice session at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, on Nov. 2, 2021. Irwin, a native of Pulaski, Wisconsin, competed in the 2021 Biathlon World Championship and is on Team USA's 2021-2022 National A Team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Feb. 3, 2022

Schedule released for Vermont National Guard Olympic biathletes

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont National Guard Olympic biathletes will compete in televised events Feb. 5-16, with possibilities to compete on Feb. 18 and 19, National Guard Biathlon training officials announced Feb. 3. Most events will be televised live in the early morning hours on NBC Sports and on www.peacocktv.com, with rebroadcast on USA Network later in the day.

The Vermont National Guard has a new psychological health coordinator. In October 2021 Jordan Imhoff was hired for the position. Imhoff previously served as the Vermont National Guard alcohol and drug control officer in the Behavioral Services Office. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

Jan. 6, 2022

Meet Jordan Imhoff: Vermont Guard’s new psychological health coordinator

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard has a new psychological health coordinator. In October 2021 Jordan Imhoff was hired for the position. Imhoff previously served as the Vermont National Guard Alcohol and Drug Control Officer in the Behavioral Services Office.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard 2026

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Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
Students of the Arkansas National Guard’s Guardian Response Training Academy participate in a winter storm response exercise Aug. 4, 2026, at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas. The exercise tested the students' ability to coordinate a multi-agency response in emergency conditions. The Guardian Response Training Academy, hosted annually by the Arkansas National Guard, develops mission-ready Soldiers and Airmen capable of supporting their communities through safe, disciplined and professional response during emergency operations. Photo by Lt. Col. William Howard.
Arkansas Guard Strengthens Emergency Response Capabilities
By Lt. Col. William Howard, | Aug. 7, 2026
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. – Before winter storms close roads, down power lines or isolate communities, the Arkansas National Guard is preparing Soldiers and Airmen for one of the National Guard’s fundamental missions:...
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman David L. Isom, center, gives remarks during an annual enlisted National Guard conference in Daytona Beach, Florida, July 31, 2026. Isom emphasized how the Guard's long-term global partnerships give it a lasting edge over adversaries, warned that today's operational tempo and the accelerating pace of military technology demand constant adaptation and stressed that taking care of people, not just equipment, must remain the top priority. Photo by Master Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan.
SEAC: Guard’s Global Partnerships, People Are Key to Future Readiness
By Master Sgt. Sarah McClanahan, | Aug. 7, 2026
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The U.S. military’s most senior enlisted service member addressed National Guardsmen at an annual enlisted National Guard conference in Daytona Beach, Florida, July 31.Senior Enlisted Advisor to the...
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Figueroa, Colorado National Guard 140th Security Forces Squadron, or SFS, security forces specialist, fires at opposition forces during Operation Iron Flag, a hands-on, combat simulation field exercise June 17, 2026, at Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii. The 140th SFS implemented jungle warfare movements, land navigation and nonverbal signals as part of their annual training. Photo by Senior Airman Eliana Raspet.
Colorado Guard, US Pacific Command Enhance Operational Readiness
By Tech. Sgt. Chance Johnson, | Aug. 7, 2026
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – More than 100 members of the Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Mission Support Group enhanced operational readiness and tested joint capabilities within the U.S. Pacific Command area...
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