Southern Illinois Guardsman Retires After 23 Years of Service

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/08/2012)(readMedia)-- "Serving is the greatest honor in life; retirement is just something that happens at the end," said Maj. Kurt C. Merseal of Steelville, Mo., the former Executive Officer for 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, the Blackhawk Battalion, in Marion, while reminiscing about his military service in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Merseal, who is originally from Richwoods, Mo., spent the majority of his 23-year National Guard career with the 130th Infantry and has four deployments under his belt with his last two being combat tours to Iraq in 2005 as Commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Battalion and Afghanistan in 2008 as the Team Chief to the Counter-Narcotics Infantry Kandak Embedded Training Team.

"Maj. Merseal is a remarkably talented infantry officer and highly-decorated combat leader who, for the entirety of his career, exhibited outstanding leadership, loyalty, professionalism, initiative and dedication to his unit and Soldiers," said Lt. Col. Ronald Tillotson of Gainsville, Va., commander of 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion.

Merseal's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, US Army Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge and Parachutist Badge.

During his most recent deployment to Afghanistan, Merseal was selected as team chief for the Counter-Narcotics Infantry Kandak Embedded Training Team. Merseal's team served in approximately 100 combat missions in and around Helmand Province during this deployment with no casualties and was recognized as the most decorated Embedded Training Team of that period.

"The Soldiers I have served with in the Blackhawk Battalion are the greatest people I've ever known. It will always be my honor to be considered one of them," said Merseal. "I will miss the soldiering, the service to my country and the men I served with, but after 23 years I have decided it is time to focus on my family and my civilian career."

Merseal is currently a sergeant with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and serves as the leader of the state's Underwater Recovery Team.

Merseal said he learned a lot during his career that he hopes other Soldiers will take to heart.

"Take your duties serious. Train hard, then fight even harder. Do what is right always and don't wish your time away. The time will come when you will regret not being in uniform," Merseal said.

Photo: Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Kurt C. Merseal of Steelville, Mo

For additional photos, please contact the Public Affairs Office.

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