An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Vermont National Guard Logo Press Releases
Press Release | June 6, 2022

86th IBCT (MTN) welcomes new commander

Vermont National Guard Public Affairs

CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, Vermont  –  

Col. Leonard Poirier assumed command of the largest military command in Vermont during a change of command ceremony at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site on June 4 at 10 a.m.

During the ceremony, Col. Brey Hopkins, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), relinquished his command after serving since June 2020.

“The Soldiers on this field represent the very best of this nation. As always, the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) has been in the forefront of world changing events. From force protection at the US Capital and response to the COVID-19 pandemic to Kabul International Airport during the withdrawal and heightened tensions in Africa and the Balkans … the Alpine Brigade was there,” said Hopkins.

The passing of the brigade colors from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander symbolizes the transfer of command. Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Gagnon, the senior enlisted Soldier for the 86th IBCT (MTN), passed the colors to Hopkins, who in turn passed the colors to Brig. Gen. James Pabis, deputy adjutant general, Vermont Army National Guard, hence relinquishing his command. Pabis then passes the colors to Poirier, entrusting him with the responsibility and care of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain). Poirier then passes the colors to Gagnon, completing the symbolic change of command.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to serve as the Commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN), and to lead some of the finest Soldiers in the United States Army as we continue to build on the Brigade’s proud legacy,” said Poirier.

Poirier’s wife, Col. Tracey Poirier, daughters Emma and Beth Poirier, and son Will Poirier, along with other family and friends witnessed the ceremony. Special guests, senior leaders, and fellow soldiers also attended the historical occasion.

Nearly 900 Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN) recently returned from the largest deployment of Vermont Soldiers since 2010.

National Guard News
Idaho Army National Guard Pfc. Bailey Craig attends her first drill at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Feb. 8, 2023, with the organization's 937th Engineer Detachment. She is the unit's first female to earn the 12M firefighter military occupational specialty after graduating in December from the Department of Defense's 68-day basic firefighting training academy at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.
Idaho Guardsman Blazes her own Trail in Firefighting
By Crystal Farris, | March 15, 2023
BOISE, Idaho - Beads of sweat dripped down her face and collected at the bottom of her mask. Her firefighting suit and breathing apparatus were heavy and weighed her down. She crawled forward and pulled the 175-pound “dummy”...

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, holds the
NY Guard’s 69th Infantry Carries Poet’s Crucifix to Africa
By Staff Sgt. Alexander Rector, | March 15, 2023
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Poet Joyce Kilmer, most famous for the poem “Trees,” was killed over 100 years ago while serving as a sergeant in the New York National Guard’s 69th Infantry Regiment scout section during World War...

First Sgt. John Melson, then a Sgt. 1st Class and member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, was presented the Bronze Star Medal with
Guard Soldier Featured in Army ‘Be All You Can Be’ Campaign
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes, | March 15, 2023
ARLINGTON, Va. – Many military members consider their service life-changing, but for 1st Sgt. John Melson, it was lifesaving — literally. After doctors at Melson’s military entrance screening discovered a lump in his neck, he...

Sgt. Osse Jeanpierre shows off his U.S. citizenship certificate following his swearing in as a U.S. citizen Dec. 15, 2022, in Tukwila, Wash. The Washington National Guard member left Haiti as a 9-year-old.
Army National Guardsman Shares Journey to Citizenship
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 15, 2023
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - When you ask Sgt. Osse Jeanpierre, JP for short, about immigrating to the United States, he smiles and talks so vividly about how it helped his family. His smile widens when he explains his time in the...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Yuknis, cavalry scout for B Troop, 172nd Cavalry Squadron (MTN), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN), Vermont Army National Guard, before tactical insertion training at the airfield in Resolute, Nunavut, Canada, March 14, 2023.
Vermont Guard Soldier Thrives in Canadian Arctic Exercise
By Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, | March 15, 2023
RESOLUTE, Nunavut - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Yuknis first came to Resolute in 2019 while participating in Guerrier Nordique.This is his second visit to the northernmost location for the Canadian-hosted exercise. National...