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 holds a Master of Arts in Operational Art from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and a Masters of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the University of Louisville McConnell Center Strategic Broadening Seminar.
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 Joseph M. Ganger
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
CSM Joseph M. Ganger is a native of Troy, Ohio and enlisted in the Army in June 2001. He attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) as an Armor Crewman at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was awarded the MOS of 19K. In the summer of May 2006, CSM Ganger attended Fort Knox, Kentucky where he re-classed and awarded the MOS 19D Cavalry Scout.
CSM Ganger has served as Tank loader, Tank Driver, Gunner, Tank Commander, Instructor, Truck Commander, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Assistant Operations Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Operations SGM.
His stateside assignments include 3-69 Armor Fort Stewart GA, 2-81 Armor Fort Knox, Ky, 1-4 Cavalry, 1-30th Infantry Fort Stewart GA, 2-53 Infantry Regiment Fort Polk LA, 1-409th Cavalry Regiment Fort Knox Ky, 5-73 Cavalry Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and currently 1-64 AR Fort Stewart. His overseas assignments include 1-91Cavalry Schweinfurt Germany and 7th Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Grafenwoehr Germany. He has deployed in combat operations to Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Freedom’s Sentinel.
CSM Ganger’s military education includes Basic Instructor training, NBC Defense Course, Basic Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Airborne School, Hazmat Course, Senior Leaders Course, Sharp Foundation Course, Battle Staff, Jumpmaster School, Master Leaders Course and Sergeants Major Academy Class 73. His civilian education includes a high school diploma from Troy High School and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from South University.
CSM Ganger’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star medal (2nd award), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation medal (11th award), Army Achievement medal, Army Good Conduct medal (7th award), National Defense Service medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal (3 stars), Iraqi Campaign medal (4 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Overseas Service ribbon (3rd award), NATO medal (2nd award), Presidential Unit award, Meritorious Unit award, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist badge. In addition, CSM Ganger has been inducted into the Order of Saint George Bronze Medallion.
