Illinois National Guard Soldiers graduate from U.S. Army War College

Related Media

DSCN0530_web.jpg

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/08/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Four Illinois National Guard Soldiers graduated from the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in July. Lt. Col. Curt Ashby of Mount Zion, Illinois; Lt. Col. Loren LeGrand of Galena, Illinois; Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Springfield, Illinois; and Lt. Col. Jeffery Camp of Bradenton, Florida; all with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois; completed a two-year school, which taught them to be skilled critical thinkers and complex problem solvers.

"It was a very enlightening experience that provided an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally," said Ashby.

After 18 years out of a school setting, LeGrand said it was challenging especially concerning the preparatory studying required for full participation. LeGrand is currently deployed to Afghanistan with the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team, A13. He was able to finish the online requirements during the deployment and take leave from Afghanistan for three weeks to attend graduation.

At the USAWC, leaders are taught to expand on critical thinking, develop a balance of theory, history, practice, and communication skills to clearly articulate options for solutions to complex strategic problems and immediately be of value to any organization. These Soldiers will use what they learned at USAWC and apply it in their full-time positions.

"The experience gained from USAWC as it relates to my full-time job is twofold," said LeGrand. "The first being: gain a better understanding of senior leader decision-making processes and second: the friendships made and the lifelong sharing of information and ideas."

The college develops senior leader competencies necessary for success in the contemporary operation environment, which contributes to the development of senior leaders.

"Completing the War College has provided me with another tool in my 'tool box,'" said Ashby. "This enables me to look at and think about requirements in a totally different perspective versus being single minded focused."

Having completed such a milestone in his career, Ashby says it feels outstanding.

"Graduating the U.S. Army War College is one of the proudest moments of my military career," said LeGrand. "The U.S. Army War College has a long history of developing great leaders and to be a part of that tradition is quite humbling."

(Left to right) Lt. Col. Curt Ashby of Mount Zion, Illinois; Lt. Col. Loren LeGrand of Galena, Illinois; Brig. Gen. Johnny R. Miller, Illinois Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Army; Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Springfield, Illinois; and Lt. Col. Jeffery Camp of Bradenton, Florida; all with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois; stand for a photograph after graduate from the U.S. Army War College graduation at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in July, a two-year school, which teaches them to be skilled critical thinkers and complex problem solvers. (Photo courtesy of Brig. Gen Johnny R. Miller)