Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt retires after 32 years of military service

Story by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

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Brig. Gen. Robert J. Pratt

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/28/2012)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Robert J. Pratt, of Hopedale, the director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff retired, July 31 after 32 years of military service in the Illinois Army National Guard. A retirement ceremony will be held Sept. 8 at the Hilton in Springfield.

The military was familiar to Pratt when he enlisted September 1980 at age 17 as a senior in high school. His father was drafted to the active duty Army and later served in the National Guard.

"My father was honored to have me serve and encouraged me," said Pratt. "But he also wanted me to graduate from college and he saw the National Guard as an opportunity."

After basic training, Pratt attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, commissioned in 1983 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program after his sophomore year in college, and then transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received his bachelor's degree.

Following his commission, Pratt was assigned to 1st Battalion, 123rd Infantry Brigade in Peoria as a platoon leader.

"When you are a platoon leader and company commander that is probably the most enjoyable time spent as an officer," said Pratt. "You are closest with the lowest level."

Pratt has held various command and staff positions throughout his career including battalion executive officer, battalion commander and brigade commander.

"General Pratt's quiet, but confident, leadership has inspired thousands of Soldiers and Airmen from his time as an Infantry platoon leader in Peoria, to his command of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago, to his tenure as director of the Joint Staff in Springfield," said Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti, Acting Adjutant General for the Illinois National Guard. "His legacy in the Illinois National Guard will live far longer than his many fruitful years in uniform."

Pratt completed and commanded multiple stateside and overseas training missions to Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, England, Germany, and Africa among others.

"I really enjoyed watching and learning from him, the way he interacted with leaders and Soldiers," said Col. Thomas Weiss of Sherman, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, who served in the 123rd with Pratt. "I've never met an officer who cares more about Soldiers than General Pratt in a very genuine, personal way."

Pratt said he never anticipated becoming a general officer, but credits his long and successful career to his family. His wife, who was prior service Air Force, knew about military service and the dedication it takes.

"We all serve as a family together," said Pratt. "They have been supportive and I would have not been able to do what I do without their support and that is one of the reasons I think I have came to the level I came to."

In Pratt's last position he served as the first dual-status commander during the NATO Summit in Chicago, commanding active duty, reserve and National Guard forces from every service.

"It was a great opportunity," said Pratt. "We had a great joint servicemember and civilian team that relied on our subordinate units to do their job and they did. It was a great culminating event for me."

After retirement, Pratt said he will do a little more farming on his 600-acre grain farm, spend more time with the family, volunteer, fish and hunt.

Pratt left some last words of advice.

"As a leader, you are there to serve," he said. "Do your best, do what's right and treat others with respect and that will guide you throughout your career."

Photo caption:

U.S. Air Force photo by 1st. Lt. Stacey Rieger, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/Brig. Gen. Robert J. Pratt of Hopedale, speaks to Soldiers during flood duty along the Mississippi River, June 19, 2008. Pratt commanded the Illinois Guard troops who were deployed to help fight flooding along the Mississippi River.

For high resolution photos or retirement ceremony information, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil.