Courtesy Photo | Mason Hepner, Col. Robert Hepner’s son and Missy Zilinski, Hepner’s sister pins on...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Community Club Nov. 25, in honor and celebration of the promotion of Fort Indiantown Gap commander Lt. Col. Robert F. Hepner to the rank of colonel.
Maj. Gen. James R. Joseph, adjutant general of Pennsylvania and presiding officer for the ceremony, introduced Hepner and spoke about his career and accomplishments. Hepner, a native of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, was joined by his wife Jennifer and son Mason along with other members of his family. Col. Marc Ferraro, one of Hepner’s mentors and the chief of operations for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, was the master of ceremonies.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Hepner during his ceremony. “Nobody gets here alone.” He acknowledged the sacrifices his family made on his and the Army’s behalf, along with the mentorship he received along the way.
Hepner, a ranger as well air assault and airborne qualified, has had a variety of assignments throughout his career with the Army.
Hepner was commissioned in 1988 into the field artillery branch from Mansfield University ROTC. Upon completion of the officer basic course and Ranger School, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery in Neu Ulm, Germany, where he served as a company fire support officer, fire direction officer and platoon leader in a self-propelled howitzer battery. During his assignment in Germany Hepner was deployed to Saudi Arabia and participated in Desert Storm/Desert Shield with the 1st Infantry Division.
After returning from Saudi Arabia he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. There he served as a battery executive officer and battery commander of an initial entry training battery. Upon completion of this assignment he attended the field artillery officer advanced course.
Hepner’s next assignment was with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. There his assignments included battalion intelligence officer, battalion fire support officer for the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, and battery commander of Headquarters, Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Battalion 11th Field Artillery. After battery command he attended the combined arms services staff school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and then went on to teach Army ROTC for three years at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Upon leaving this assignment Hepner left the active component and joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. While serving in the National Guard, Hepner has served as the 28th Infantry Division Artillery fire direction officer and assistant operations officer. He then was selected to command the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment where he was deployed for nine months to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hepner next served as the counterdrug coordinator for the Pennsylvania National Guard Counterdrug Program for five and a half years. He then served as the director of plans, training, and security at Fort Indiantown Gap, National Guard Training Center. His most recent assignment was as the commander of the 3rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team.
Hepner’s civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree in communications from Mansfield University. A master’s degree in education from the Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Hepner lives in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, with his wife of nearly 24 years, Jennifer. They have two sons Mason and Carson.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.07.2015 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 183746 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Hometown: | MOUNT JOY, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 995 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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