By Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden
Iowa National Guard
Spc. Kyle T. Brewer of Vinton, Iowa, was named the Army National Guard Region Five Soldier of the Year following regional competition held at Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa, April 27-29. 

Brewer is currently a student at the University of Dubuque, where he is majoring in aviation and playing wide receiver for the Spartan football team. He is also a canon crew member with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery.

A member of the Iowa National Guard since 2004, Brewer competed against Soldiers from Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Competition included the Army Physical Fitness Test; a hands-on, map reading practical exercise; a land navigation course; testing on common Soldier tasks; weapons qualification; a written exam; and an appearance before a board of senior noncommissioned officers, where questions concerning general military subjects and current events were asked.

Brewer said when his battery came back from last summer’s annual training at Camp Ripley, he was told they had nominated him for the annual challenge.
“It’s part of my job, so I did the best I could. I didn’t want to let my unit down, but I have to admit the results were a bit of a surprise to me.”

By the time the weekend competition concluded, Brewer had the top score at the weapons course and the warrior training, notched 100 percent on the land navigation course, and was one of four to score over 300 on the physical fitness test (324 points).

While he felt the written exam was the hardest part of the contest, the easiest, he said, was land navigation, since it was “something I really enjoy. I’ve done reconnaissance for a long time and I enjoy walking around in the woods. I feel I have a gift for the environment.”

When you first meet him, Brewer’s self-confidence exudes throughout his tall, well-built frame. Once he begins to speak, you are immediately drawn to his very personal sense of values, as well as his focus and drive.

Brewer joined the Iowa Army National Guard in Sept. 9, 2004, during his senior year at Vinton’s Washington High School.

I joined the Iowa National Guard because I wanted to serve my country, that’s the only reason,” said Brewer. “I would have joined the military even if it was free, but I’ll take the benefits as they come.

“I care a lot about my country and I try my best to never let anyone down. I do my job to the best of my abilities. I believe in never disappointing my family, making them proud of me, and to never do anything to compromise my integrity.

“I owe everything I have to my family, for their encouragement, to my drill sergeants in basic, Sgt. 1st Class Henry Walton, Sgt. First Class Richard Lorts and Sgt. First Class Jeffrey Chase, and all of the men in my unit and the commanders. Every single one of them has given me information and direction for my life,” he added.

According to Col. (Ret.) Dan Kammiller, assistant professor of military science, Brewer was that “sharp-looking kid,” who impressed the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructor during his first visit to the Dubuque campus.

“When he came here for his first visit, he came with his mother. He looked you in the eye, and it was ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir,” and he sat at attention when he talked to me.

“The first impression I got from him was, this is the kind of person I want in my program and he’s someone you want to make a leader.

“Brewer basically lives the army values, He has a lot of integrity, he’s loyal, and he does the things he’s supposed to do. He always tries to do the right thing. He’s very active with the University of Dubuque ROTC program and he’s always there,” said Kammiller.

Upon graduation, Brewer will continue his military career as a commissioned officer.  He then hopes to serve his first overseas deployment in order to gain real-life combat experience. He will also attend Air Assault school in July.

The military, it seems, is somewhat of a family tradition for the Brewers. His father was a Marine for four years and then served in the Navy Submarine Force for the next eight years, before entering the Naval Reserves and retiring after 22 years as a Chief Machinist Mate, nuclear.  His mother was a Navy Nuclear Submarines Machinist Mate/Engineering Laboratory Technician for six years.  Kyle's twin brother is also an Army National Guard and ROTC member.  His paternal grandfather and step-grandfather served in the Army, while his maternal grandfather, a World War II veteran, served as a military policeman in Europe.

Brewer now moves on to the Army National Guard Soldier of the Year contest. He will be one of seven Soldiers vying for the title at Fort Benning, Ga. in early August. 

All seven competitors will be feted at Washington, D.C., as part of the National Guard's Outstanding Soldier and Airmen of the Year celebration. They’ll receive briefings from National Guard Bureau staff, tour the Pentagon, visit Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall, and meet with other Department of Defense officials.

They will then travel to Oklahoma City, where they will be the honored guests during the national convention of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. The National Guard Soldier of the Year will be announced at that time.