LTC William "Will" A. Branch
Battalion Commander
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Will Branch hails from Detroit, Michigan. He commissioned as an Armor officer from the Western Michigan University in 2006.
LTC Branch completed the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, KY, and served as a Troop Executive Officer in K Troop, 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry. He later served as the Platoon Leader in 3th Battalion, 66th Armor / Task Force 2d Battalion 28th Infantry. Following the Maneuver Captains Career Course, LTC Branch served as a Battalion Assistant Operations Officer and Tank Company Commander in 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armor Division. After relinquishing command in May 2013, he served as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Brigade Modernization Command. LTC Branch was then assigned to Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky as an assignment officer for Lieutenants and Senior Captains, where he oversaw the military assignments for nearly 1,200 Armor officers. LTC Branch was the Battalion Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment and the Brigade Operations Officer 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. LTC Branch served as the Special Assistant to the 37th Vice Chief of Staff, Army and as a Joint Planner in the Joint Staff J5 prior to battalion command. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and as Regionally Aligned Force to the Republic of Korea.
LTC Branch is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course, Maneuver Captain Career Course, Command & General Staff Officers College, and School of Advanced Military Studies. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (6), Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1) Meritorious Unit Commendation (1), Army Superior Unit Award (1), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars), and the Parachutist Badge.
CSM Gregory M. Swayer
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major Gregory M. Swayer is a native of Orleans, Indiana entered the United States Army in July of 2003.
He completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was awarded the MOS 19D, Cavalry Scout.
CSM Swayer’s duty positions include: Scout Driver, Cavalry Fighting Vehicle Gunner, Squad Leader, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Senior Military Science Instructor, and Operations Sergeant Major. His stateside assignments include Fort Polk, Louisiana: Fort Knox, Kentucky: Fort Campbell, Kentucky: Fort Moore, Georgia: Fort Bliss, Texas: and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His overseas assignments include Korea. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Kuwait for combat and peacekeeping operations.
CSM Swayer’s is a graduate of the Basic Leaders Course (BLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Senior Leader Course (SLC), Sergeants Major Course (SMC), Air Assault Course, Pathfinder, Drill Sergeant School, Tactical Certification Course, Army Reconnaissance Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Master Educator Course, Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course, Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps Pre-Command Course, Battle Staff Course, and Combatives Level 1. CSM Swayer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Workforce Development, and a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration.
CSM Swayer’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign medial, Iraq Campaign medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NCOPD Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Drill Sergeants badge, Pathfinder Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a member of the Order of St. George.