Leadership
LTC Terry E. Gambrel’s Biography
LTC Terry E. Gambrel is the Garrison Commander of Yakima Training Center. He assumed command on July 3, 2024.
He enlisted in the Army in 1995 as a Combat Medic and Operating Room Technician.
LTC Gambrel later pursued a career in the Special Forces, graduating the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Liberty, N.C., in July 1999 as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. He served with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) based in JBLM, WA from 1999 to 2005.
In 2005, LTC Gambrel volunteered for Officer Candidate School at Fort Moore, Georgia, and received a commission as an Infantry Platoon Leader. He served in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as an Infantry Battalion Battle Captain, Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer.
In 2008, LTC Gambrel returned to Fort Liberty, N.C., to attend the Special Forces Detachment Commander’s Course. Upon completion of the course, he was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he served as Detachment Commander, Group Assistant Operations Officer, Joint Operations Center Current Operations Chief for the CJSOTF-Afghanistan, Headquarters Company Commander, Special Forces Company Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, and Group Operations Officer.
LTC Gambrel’s joint assignments include Future Operations Planner and Current Operations Chief for Special Operations Command South and her most recently served with the United States Special Operations Command as a Special Operations Joint Task Force Planner.
LTC Gambrel holds a bachelor’s in science in Professional Studies from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He is a graduate of the Command General Staff College at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), Fort Moore, Georgia, and holds a master’s in information technology management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
LTC Gambrel is married to Luanne, and has three children: Bryan, Haley, and Terry.
CSM Anton D. Ruffin's Biography
CSM Anton D. Ruffin is the Command Sergeant Major of Yakima Training Center. He assumed the responsibility on April 24, 2025.
A native of Vossburg, Mississippi. CSM Ruffin enlisted in the United States Army in August 1997 and graduated basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He completed Advanced Individual Training as a 14T Patriot Enhanced Maintainer/Operator in Fort Bliss, Texas. He served numerous leadership and staff positions to include Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, G 3/5/7 Operations Sergeant, Battalion Operations Sergeant Major and Instructor/Writer. His deployments include Camp Bucca, Iraq OIF (2008) as a Compound Shift Leader in 3-4 ADAR, 108TH BDE, Fort Bragg, NC; Qatar, SWA (2015) Battalion Master Gunner in 1-62 ADAR, 69TH BDE, Fort Cavazos, TX; Kuwait, SWA (2017) as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery First Sergeant 1-62 ADAR, 69TH BDE Fort Cavazos, TX; Jasionka, Poland EDAR (2024) Battalion Operations Sergeant Major 5-7 ADAR, 52ND BDE Baumholder, Germany.
CSM Ruffin has attended all levels of the Non-Commissioned Officer Education System, including the United States Army Sergeants Major Course, Patriot Master Gunner Course, Battle Staff Course, Forces Management Course, Air Assault School, Unit Movement Officer Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, SHARP Certifier Course, and Equal Opportunity Course.
His prior awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 silver oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (3 bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal (9th), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (NUM 5), Army Overseas Ribbon (NUM 4), Army Service Ribbon, Certificate of Achievement (6), Meritorious Unit Citation, Patriot Master Gunner Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Schutzenschnur Silver Badge, and recipient of the Order of Saint Barbara Medal.
CSM Ruffin and his wife, Katharina, have five children ranging in age from 5 to 25.
Eric Brouwer is the Deputy to the Garrison Commander for the Yakima Training Center (YTC). Filling the position in November 2023, Brouwer is responsible for the administrative oversite of the Garrison’s civilian directors and special staff. He works with the directors and staff to formulated goals, policies and objectives for the Garrison and presents management and organizational recommendations to the Garrison Commander. Previously, he was the Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist, responsible for maintaining YTC’s Land, Real Property and Facilities. Brouwer functioned as the installation’s main point of contact for all facilities work and established directives in support of local, state, and federal regulations involving wildlife, cultural resources, and natural resources.
Brouwer has also filled civilian roles at YTC as the Supervisory Range Operations Specialist from August 2021 to August 2022, and the Integrated Training Area Management Coordinator
Brouwer served over 10 years as a soldier and civilian at Camp Casey, South Korea; Fort Lewis, Washington; and YTC.
He also served 6 years in the U.S. Army and Washington Army National Guard. During his Active Duty and National Guard service, he completed two combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq as a team leader achieving the rank of Sergeant. Awards earned include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and Combat Infantryman Badge. His other awards include: the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Brouwer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology in 2011 from Central Washington University.
Brouwer and his wife, Melissa, live in Selah, Washington, where they are raising their three children Emma, Alexander, and Evangeline.