Geneva Soldier promoted to colonel

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/25/2018) (readMedia)-- Justin Osberg, of Geneva, Illinois, was promoted to Colonel during a ceremony at the Illinois National Guard training center in Marseilles, Illinois Sept. 16.

Osberg has more than 25 years of military service and has been a member of the Illinois Army National Guard since 1993. Osberg serves as the Commander, 108th Sustainment Brigade based in Chicago. He received a commission from Officer Candidate School in 1997 and was first assigned as a Platoon Leader for Company B, 133rd Signal Battalion in Sparta, IL.

"25 years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life, to join the Guard," Osberg said. "When I enlisted, I never thought I would someday be a brigade commander leading troops in combat."

Osberg is currently conducting pre-mobilization training, he will command a forward element of the 108th Sustainment Brigade when it deploys to Iraq later this year.

The presiding officer for the promotion ceremony was Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, Commander, Illinois Army National Guard.

"We don't pick people for promotion," Zerbonia said. "We develop leaders. Justin is an outstanding officer and has been successful in all assignments. I'm confident in his leadership and know the 108th Sustainment Brigade will make a positive impact on their deployment."

Osberg deployed to Iraq in 2008 and served with Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq as a Logistics Advisor to the Iraqi Army's 14th Division in Basra. In 2012, he returned to the Middle East through the Illinois National Guard's State Partnership Program and served as the Logistics Officer with the Polish Army's 6th Airborne Brigade in Ghazni, Afghanistan.

"I am thankful for this opportunity and I am grateful for the support of my family and all of the soldiers I have served with," Osberg said.

Cutline 1: Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard, speaks at the promotion ceremony for Col. Justin Osberg Sept. 15. Osberg commands the 108th Sustainment Brigade out of Chicago, Illinois, the 108th deploys to Iraq later this year.

Cutline 2: Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard, speaks at the promotion ceremony for Col. Justin Osberg Sept. 15. Osberg commands the 108th Sustainment Brigade out of Chicago, Illinois, the 108th deploys to Iraq later this year.