The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" of the Iowa Army National Guard was awarded the Citizen Patriot Award for its exemplary service while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Accepting the award on behalf of the brigade during a ceremony at Fort Myer, VA, was Army Colonel Benjamin J. Corell, commander of the unit during its deployment from November 2010 to July 2011.
The brigade’s outstanding contribution to the security and defense posture of the United States during their deployment set them apart from other applicants, but so did the emotional aspect of losing four Soldiers.
“We had 12 nominations from all of the services—Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force—and what we looked for were units that made the greatest contribution to national security,” said retired Army Major General Kenneth Bouldin, president of the Reserve Forces Policy Board Fellows Society, the independent committee that selected the individual and unit Citizen Patriot awardees.
“Of all the nominations that we had, the thing that stood out was that these Soldiers had been truthfully in harm’s way,” he said. “And all of the units had performed magnificently, but this unit had lost four of its Soldiers.”
Corell said he was humbled to represent the thousands of Soldiers who came together to perform a successful mission.
“I also realize that it takes a village to raise a child, and that means our employers and families back at home, the leadership of the Iowa National Guard, and the Nebraska National Guard. Tonight, I accept this on behalf of all of them,” he said.
Their deployment to Afghanistan was one of the largest deployments of Iowa National Guard members since WWII, said Guard officials.
Guard officials said key accomplishments of the brigade were:
- Increased capability of the local Afghan government to provide for the essential needs of the Afghan people, resulting in 61 percent of the local Afghan population within the Task Force Red Bulls' area of operations believing that their government was working to better their lives
- Led one of the largest air assault operations in Regional Command East and cleared insurgent activity from 400 square miles of the Galuch Valley in Laghman Province
- Conducted numerous direct and indirect fire missions to support Coalition Forces and suppress enemy insurgency
- Coordinated with local institutions and other multinational agencies, resulting in the increased credibility of Afghan provincial and district institutions
“As in previous conflicts, the 'Red Bulls' lived up to their history and Iowa’s Citizen-Soldier reputation as some of the finest and most dependable Soldiers in the Army,” said Army Major General Timothy Orr, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard.
In attendance to present the award to Corell and the brigade was Army Lieutenant General William E. Ingram Jr., director of the Army National Guard.
“It is a tremendous honor to have the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard recognized at the national level for their deployment excellence,” Ingram said.
“I could not be more proud of these superb Soldiers and their families for their successful deployment, their continued sacrifice, selfless service, and all the things we count on them, as Army Guardsmen, to do every day, whether at home or overseas,” he said.
Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as three or six years, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreThe Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Guard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $183 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 62.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreYou are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Your estimated total for the first year.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
[X] CloseNational Guard | Privacy Policy | Tech Support | Hide Site Map [-] | View Full Site Map
© 2012 - United States Army National Guard