Chicago Area Gets Two More Army National Guard Units

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Two years after National Guard units in Streator and North Riverside saw its mission and company name change, the units will come back as part of the Illinois National Guard force structure.

The 1744th Transportation Company in Streator and 3625th Maintenance Company in North Riverside were eliminated in 2008 as the Illinois Army National Guard transformed the 404th Chemical Brigade to the 404th Maneuver Enhance Brigade to reflect a changing mission overseas. The units were transformed into Companies A and B of the 405th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Streator and North Riverside.

"The situation was different at the time the analysis was conducted and the decision was made to place units of the 405th BSB at North Riverside and Streator," said Lt. Col. Randy Scott of Jacksonville, Construction and Facilities Management Officer for the Illinois National Guard. "The staff and command understood that there was additional force structure available to eventually replace the 3625th and 1744th and felt the state was better off reducing the maintenance and transportation units."

Over the last year, the Army National Guard force structure has again changed forcing the Illinois Army National Guard to reconsider its decision to stand down two units. Since the mission of the 405th BSB is still essential to the Illinois Army National Guard, the 1744th and 3625th will stand up as 'new' units. The overall strength of the Illinois Army National Guard will not increase, but the change will create two new companies in the force.

"Directors from all departments in the Illinois Army National Guard were part of these meetings and helped develop the best solution to push the National Guard forward for the future and make us a stronger organization to support both our homeland and overseas mission," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "I am proud of the way these individuals worked as a team to develop the best course of action."

Because of constraints in Illinois National Guard armories and lack of funding to construct new readiness centers, the two new units did create a small logistical issue with where the units would be stationed. The 1744th will be stationed in Crestwood, rather than its old home in Streator. The 3625th will go back to its old facility at North Riverside, pushing Company B, 405th BSB to Crestwood.

The locations of the units were determined because of the size of each unit. The 3625th is a bigger unit and needs the space. North Riverside also gives the 3625th the maintenance shops needed to make their mission a success.

With the 1744th in Crestwood, there will now be two transportation companies in the Chicago area. The 1244th Transportation Company, which is being mobilized in late September for a tour in Iraq, is already based out of the North Riverside armory. Illinois National Guard officials, though, believe there is a good market of prospective recruits to fill these units.

"The Illinois Army National Guard is excited to have more opportunities for great Americans to serve," said Lt. Col. Clayton Kuetemeyer of Chatham, Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command. "By opening both a transportation and maintenance company in the Crestwood area we are providing more employment options in a time when there are few jobs to be had."

Kuetemeyer said based on the numerous positions in these units, it will take about two years before most positions are filled. With unemployment rates at near record highs, he said this is a great opportunity for people to gain experience that can be used in civilian employment.

"One of the most exciting features of these units is that they have many positions with skills that equate to civilian jobs in the area," Kuetemeyer said. "We have thousands of Chicago-area Soldiers who have enlisted or re-enlisted in the National Guard, serving both the nation and their local communities with an organization that feels like a family."

Soldiers interested in transferring to one of the new units should talk to the full-time staff at their current unit. People interested in enlisting with the 3625th should contact Staff Sgt. Richard Gary at his office (773) 410-2044, or cell (708) 824-6053 or e-mail richard.gary@us.army.mil Those interested in joining the 1744th should contact Staff Sgt. Kollin Montgomery at his office (708) 824-6335, via cell (708) 476-7650 or by e-mail kollin.montgomery@us.army.mil

"This is a great opportunity for our Soldiers," said Enyart. "The new mission of the 405th gave Soldiers unique opportunities to do a different job than before. Bringing back the 1744th and 3625th gives Soldiers more options for career advancement and opportunities to consider in their military career. It is a positive move for the Illinois Army National Guard as we look at the future of our force."

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