Brandenburg National Guard Armory to experience growth
By KAREN KENNEDY A recent interview with Maj. Gen. Donald C. Storm dispelled any rumors that the National Guard in Brandenburg is slated to close. In fact, indicated Storm, there are plans to further expand the Armory – not close it. “We’re planning to move part of a maintenance company to Brandenburg,” stated Storm. “The intent is to establish more permanency and maintain a force structure amenable to the demographics of the area. We consider Brandenburg a first-class community and plan to maintain a presence there. Brandenburg and Meade County are important to me and to the guard and we’d like to see the personnel strength increase.” Moving to the Brandenburg Armory is the Forward Support Company for First Battalion 623rd Field Artillery – a specific unit of the 203rd Forward Support Company. Storm said that if the community and young people continue to show interest, they’d like to see a greater number of slots put into Brandenburg. As it is, with the addition of the Forward Support Company, the slots in Brandenburg are expected to increase from the current 36 slots to 60 personnel slots. “Putting a bigger unit in there means more slots for people,” said Storm. “Economically, it helps the community. With a larger unit, there are more full-time people.” Storm added that the presence of a National Guard in Meade County ensures a quicker response to the people in the community should a response be necessary. Storm said that, in the future, the National Guard is also interested in adding a drill or assembly hall to Brandenburg’s National Guard Armory facility.
|
Photo by Renetta Johnston