Bloomington Soldier Credits Success to Giant Life Lessons

The Commander of the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade credited the success in his military career to giants who offered him life lessons.

Newly-promoted Col. Bradley Roach of Bloomington, the Commander of the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade, was honored in a ceremony March 20 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln in Springfield, becoming the 19th colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard.

"For 32 plus years, I've been surrounded by giants," Roach said. "Small giants, big giants, tough-love giants, and kindhearted giants. Each one left a mark on my soul. I appreciate every single one of you."

Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Assistant Adjutant General - Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard said getting promoted to colonel is very difficult to do.

"Brad, I've known you a long time," said Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Assistant Adjutant General - Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. "We've had many conversations. I told you that you were doing all the right things, and your time is going to come. Your time is today and right now. I know you're ready for it. I know you're ready for command. Our future is in your hands."

Roach enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1993 as an ammunition handler assigned to Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment. He rose through the ranks to sergeant before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the field artillery branch in 2003, later branching into the transportation branch.

He has deployed three times for overseas missions. During Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2006, Roach served as a platoon leader, conducting convoy security, reconnaissance, and personnel security missions. During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2011, Roach served as the U.S. Battle Captain for a combined U.S. and Polish brigade-size task force of 4,000 Soldiers, coordinating assets for full-spectrum combat operations in the Ghanzi Province. He also served as the Executive Officer of the 34th DSB during its deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Williams thanked Roach's family, including wife Rachal, and 7-year-old daughter, Rosalyn, for their support of Roach's career.

"He can't do these jobs without the support of the family," Williams said. "A lot of responsibility comes with this rank. He's a fantastic officer but he can't do it without the support structure your family offers."

Roach talked about some of the great giants who left a positive mark on his soul.

"Corporal Mark Kellogg, a Cavalry Scout who joined the Illinois National Guard after his Reserve unit disbanded, taught me to embrace the suck," he said. "When I was complaining about being cold, wet, and miserable during a field exercise, he told me I had two choices. I could either get out or learn to love it. If you get out, you'll regret your decision down the road. If you learn to love it, you'll never regret it. I learned to love it. My body regrets it, but my heart doesn't."

Roach described his late father as a tough-love giant.

"He was the greatest giant I have ever known," Roach said. "He may be gone, but his life lessons are etched into who I am. He taught me about hard work, resilience, and teamwork. In the Army, when one of us loses, we all lose, but when one of us succeeds we all win."

Roach described his wife, Rachal, through a message he read when deployed to Kuwait. The message described the trouble God experienced in designing the perfect military wife.

Roach said his littlest giant, his daughter Rosalyn, recharges his soul.

"She told me after my last deployment she doesn't like me taking long trips," he said. "But she likes the Army because of its ceremonies."

Roach said each of the moments he described are just a few which shaped him as a Soldier, person, and father.

"These lessons are as true today as they were then," he said. "Find a positive giant in your life. Learn from them and then strive to become one for someone else someday."