Local deputy sheriff reaches the top in Louisiana National Guard

Photo By Angela Fry | From left to right: Sgt. 1st Class Chris Cole of Simsboro, La., 1st Sgt. Brent Barnett of Chatham, La., Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown and his wife Suzanne, and Capt. Wynn G. Nugent of Bossier City, La. at Barnett's farewell ceremony from the 527th Engineer Battalion in Ruston. Barnett, who works as a senior patrol supervisor and K-9 handler for the Jackson Parish Sheriff's Department, was recently named command sergeant major for the 528th Engineer Battalion. in Monroe.  

KUWAIT

06.27.2008

Story by Cpl. Angela Fry 

Louisiana National Guard

By Cpl. Angela K. Fry
528th Engineer Battalion Unit Public Affairs Representative

RUSTON, La. – For Louisiana Army National Guard Soldier, Brent D. Barnett of Chatham, La., the chance to serve as the highest ranking non-commissioned officer in his unit is the challenge of a lifetime.

Barnett, who was recently named the Command Sergeant Major for the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe, La., originally joined the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1988 with the 199th Brigade Support Battalion in Jonesboro.

"The 528th is a very credible and recognized engineer unit in the Louisiana Army National Guard," said Barnett. "I look forward to serving with them and realize what an opportunity this will provide."

Barnett said that his service to the residents of Jackson Parish as a deputy sheriff has benefited him in his rise to the top of the enlisted chain of command.

"The discipline required to be a law enforcement officer and work in special operations as the only K-9 handler for the parish enhances the self-discipline requirements to be in senior leadership in the Guard," he said. "My special ops training and the fact that I am qualified from the Special Response Team from the Monroe Police Department have definitely attributed to my service in the military."

Barnett's training in the field of law enforcement provided the need for his services on the initial set-up for Task Force Gator in New Orleans after hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a post-certified officer in the chaotic aftermath of the 2005 natural disasters.

"My career as a senior patrol supervisor and deputy sheriff and my service in the military have caused me to place an emphasis on being a more responsible person most of my adult life," Barnett added. "The responsibilities of maintaining certification of a dual purpose K-9 unit and supervising several police officers help to enhance the responsibilities required to be successful in the military."

The support of the sheriff's department since his initial employment in 1991 has been a major advantage as Barnett has attempted to pursue his military career.

"I understand his obligation," said Jackson Parish sheriff Andy Brown. "Brent is committed (to us), and he is committed to the National Guard. I guess what hurts the most when he is not here is not that we are short a man but that we are short a leader."

"You won't find a finer person than Brent," he added. "He is loyal to the parish, to the state and to the country."

After serving in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm with the 1086th Transportation Company in Jena, Barnett furthered his career by transferring to the 527th Engineer Battalion in Ruston in 1994 to pursue training as a heavy equipment operator.

After deploying to Afghanistan as a platoon sergeant in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003 with the 527th's B Company, Barnett was promoted to first sergeant in 2005.

"I know that my time with the 527th has prepared me for this mission," he said. "These Soldiers and non-commissioned officers are like family to me, and it is difficult to leave them. I know that I would not be where I am today without their dedication to excellence," he continued.

Capt. Wynn G. Nugent of Bossier City, company commander of the 1022nd Engineer Company in West Monroe, echoed Barnett's sentiments about relationships that are forged in the National Guard.

"Barnett is one of the best non-commissioned officers that I have had the privilege to work with and I cannot put into words the team that we make," Nugent said. "Not only do I respect him as an NCO, but I respect him as a friend."

"There is no one who deserves this opportunity more than him, and I know he will be successful in anything that he sets out to do," Nugent concluded.

The two-time veteran has had a prestigious 20-year career with the National Guard. He received the 1st Sgt. Jerry R. Galloway Award in 2007 as the First Sergeant of the Year in the Louisiana National Guard.

Barnett has also received various state and federal awards during his service. These awards include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Louisiana War Cross and the Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon.

He is the son of Dewain and Lorie Barnett of Chatham, La. and a graduate of Weston High School. He received a bachelor's degree in sociology, specializing in criminal justice from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.

• Date Taken: 06.27.2008
• Date Posted: 07.01.2008 11:41
• Story ID: 21055
• Location: KW