Sherman Soldier promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/28/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Bradford E. Leighton of Sherman, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard's (ILARNG) Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Jan. 28.

Leighton, originally from New England, has more than 26 years of service in the Army. He enlisted with the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 1988 as a combat signaler for Alpha Battery, 1-101st Field Artillery. He commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1996 after graduating from the Massachusetts Military Academy Officer Candidate School and served as a truck company platoon leader in the 1058th Transportation Company for three years. After transferring to the Illinois National Guard in 2008 he served as a public affairs officer in the state headquarters and as commander of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 65th Troop Command, from December 2009 to August 2012.

Leighton served two tours in Iraq, from 2005-2006 and 2007-2008, as a public affairs officer for the headquarters of multi-national forces in Iraq. He returned from Kuwait in October 2014 after serving overseas again, this time as the executive officer for the 108th Special Troops Battalion, 108th Sustainment Brigade.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston with a double major in economics and psychology in 1995.

Leighton's current assignment is director of the Public Affairs Office (PAO) for the ILARNG.

Leighton is married to his wife Natalie and together they have two children, 12-year-old Benjamin and 2-year-old Lilah.

Cutline1: Bradford E. Leighton of Sherman, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) recites the oath of office from Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. Leighton was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Jan. 28. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Cutline2: Lilah Leighton removes lieutenant colonel rank on her father Bradford E. Leighton of Sherman, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Jan. 28. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Cutline3: Benjamin Leighton pins lieutenant colonel rank on his father Bradford E. Leighton of Sherman, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Jan. 28. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)