65th Troop Command Brigade Command Sergeant Major to retire

Story by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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(Left to right) Sgt. Maj. Vernon K. Wilfinger of East Peoria, Illinois, Col. Michael Glisson of Festus, Missouri, and Command Sgt. Maj. John C. Cycotte of Port Charlotte, Florida, formerly of Trivoli,

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/19/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – John C. Cycotte of Trivoli, Illinois, command sergeant major of the Illinois National Guard's 65th Troop Command Brigade will retire the end of August, after more than a quarter of a century in uniformed service to our nation.

"I am very proud to have worked with the exceptional one percent of the population who stands up to defend the United States," said Cycotte.

Cycotte said the best part of working in the Guard was his time working with the Soldiers, training and developing them and seeing them step up into leadership positions and succeed.

"He is a very thorough guy," said Master Sgt. Donald Siltman of Virginia, Illinois, 65th Troop Command Brigade surface maintenance mechanic. "Everyone was ready no matter the mission. People knew what they were doing when Cycotte was in charge."

Cycotte was born at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas. He attended high school in Decatur, Illinois, and enlisted in January 1982.

Throughout his long career he held every enlisted leadership position from squad leader to command sergeant major.

"Cycotte brought a lot of experience, good common sense and mentorship to the Soldiers under him," said Sgt. Maj. Vernon Wilfinger of East Peoria, Illinois, the interim command sergeant major of the 65th Troop Command Brigade.

He completed six overseas missions during his time with the Guard, including deployments Kosovo and Iraq.

Cycotte credits his leadership style to many men and women in uniform who he served with over the years.

Cycotte said Soldiers, like his platoon sergeant, from his assignment to Company D, 293rd Engineer Battalion out of Baumholder, Germany, taught him the importance of evaluating and developing training at all levels.

"There are many noncommissioned officers and officers who I have worked with over the years that influenced me and I learned from each of them," said Cycotte.

In his spare time, Cycotte likes fishing, hunting and boating. He recently moved to Florida to pursue a new career with the Transportation Security Administration, where he expects to have a little more time for his extracurricular activities, as well as his family.

After his military service he will relocate to Port Charlotte, Florida, joining his wife Bobbi, also an Army veteran of 21 years, son Michael a Navy veteran, his daughter-in-law Lesley, and four grandchildren.

"He has been around a long time and is one of the top noncommissioned officers in the state," said Siltman. "You hate to see the good ones go."