COL Will Shoemate enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer. Following his assignment to the 43rd Combat Engineer Company, 2-3 ACR, COL Shoemate was selected for Officer Candidate School. After commissioning through Officer Candidate School, COL Shoemate served in the 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Korea. Upon successfully completing his first assignment, COL Shoemate attended the Engineer Captains Career Course (ECCC) and returned to Korea where he served in the 2d Engineer Battalion, Camp Essayons, Korea as the Battalion Maintenance Officer. COL Shoemate then assumed Command of the Headquarters Company, 2d Infantry Division. Following command, COL Shoemate was assessed and selected for assignment within the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG), Fort Meade, MD.
While assigned to AWG, COL Shoemate was the Group Engineer and Company Commander Headquarters Company. COL Shoemate then volunteered for assignment to the 130th Engineer Brigade and deployed to Mosul, Iraq as the Brigade’s Chief of Operations. Following this assignment, COL Shoemate attended the U.S Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC). Following CGSC, COL Shoemate returned to the Asymmetric Warfare Group were served as the Group Plans Chief, Squadron S-3, and Troop Commander. COL Shoemate was then selected to serve as the National Training Center's Observer/Coach-Trainer (OC/T). COL Shoemate served the Brigade Plans and Engineer OC/T during this assignment. COL Shoemate was then selected as a Military Fellow for the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group. Following his fellowship, COL Shoemate returned to AWG and served as the Group S-3 and Group Deputy Commander. COL Shoemate was then selected to command the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2/3 ABCT from June 2018 – June 2020. Following his command with the 9th BEB, COL Shoemate was chosen for a second battalion and assumed command of the 5th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade in December 2020. COL Shoemate completed command of the 5th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade in June 2022. Following command, COL Shoemate attended senior service college.
COL Shoemate has executed multiple operational deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar. His most recent deployments were in support of Defender 20 and the Security Force Assistance Task Force Command for SFA-Honduras. COL Shoemate holds a master's degree in military studies from Command and General Staff College and a master's in strategic studies from the Army War College. COL Shoemate holds professional project management certification from Stanford University.
Command Sergeant Major
CSM Jeremy S. Brannan
Command Sergeant Major Brannan entered the United States Army in July 1998 and completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) as an Infantryman at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Command Sergeant Major Brannan’s duty assignments include: Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Airborne Battalion Combat Team (ABCT) Vicenza, Italy; Bravo and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR) Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 329th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Benning, Georgia; Eagle Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany; Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, Ft. Stewart, Georgia; 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, Ft. Bliss, Texas; 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Benning, Georgia and 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Stewart, Georgia. His previous assignment was with the 197th Infantry Brigade, Ft. Moore, Georgia.
Command Sergeant Major Brannan has deployed twice with the 82nd Airborne Division. He deployed in February 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He deployed again with Charlie Company in July 2005 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) IV. Command Sergeant Major Brannan also deployed with Eagle Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment in June 2010 in support of OEF X.
Command Sergeant Major Brannan has held numerous leadership positions including: Team Leader, Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major, Battalion Command Sergeant Major and Brigade Command Sergeant Major.
Command Sergeant Major Brannan’s military education includes: Basic Airborne Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Basic Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, First Sergeant Course, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger School, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 67).
Command Sergeant Major Brannan’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6thAward), Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (with Bronze Service Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with two Campaign Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (with two Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), NATO Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Tunisian Parachutist Badge, Italian Parachutist Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice, and the Ranger Tab
