Maj. General Michael Zerbonia, the assistant adjutant general - Army, Illinois Army National Guard, vists Troops at NTC

Photo By Sgt. DeUndra Brown | Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Carney, state command sergeant major of Illinois, gets a briefing at the sand table, from Soldiers of Illinois Army National Guard May 31, 2017, at Fort Irwin, California. (Mississippi National Guard photo by Sgt. DeUndra Brown, 102d Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

05.31.2017

Story by Sgt. DeUndra Brown 

102d Public Affairs Detachment

FORT IRWIN, California - Maj. General Michael Zerbonia, the assistant adjutant general - Army, Illinois Army National Guard, visited his state’s Soldiers May 31, 2017 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.
Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers are receiving training during a National Training Center rotation which allows them to build teamwork and remain combat ready for future missions.
“My purpose is to come and see the company of Soldiers I have working here as an (Echelon Above Brigade) unit, visit them and make sure they understand that their trials and tribulation of NTC and the 14 days that they spend in the field aren’t, and don’t, go unnoticed,” Zerbonia said. ”And to make sure that they know the command in the state of Illinois wants them to succeed and do well.”
He feels that the training his Soldiers are receiving will improve their Soldier skills and abilities.
“Our Soldiers are getting the best training out there,” said Zerbonia. They’re facing world class (opposing forces). They’ve got great (observer controller trainers) out here, coaching them and mentoring them to get better, so this can only make them better in the future. When we make one company better, we the whole of the Illinois Army National Guard better.”
Zerbonia said he wants the families to know that while at training the Soldiers are in good hands.
“It’s tough and strenuous training, but they are being taken care of,” he said. “And the future for them - they’ll be home soon.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Carney, state command sergeant major, Illinois Army National Guard, also talked about the importance of the training that the Soldiers are receiving.
“It’s invaluable,” said Carney. “The training that they are receiving is really back to the basics. They’re very motivated and getting a lot out of what they are learning.”

• Date Taken: 05.31.2017
• Date Posted: 06.01.2017 02:54
• Story ID: 235904
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: GALESBURG, ILLINOIS, US
• Hometown: LEWISTOWN, ILLINOIS, US
• Hometown: LOMBARD, ILLINOIS, US
• Hometown: SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, US