Illinois National Guard

The Illinois Air National Guard is seeking full-time recruiters. If you are a Senior Airman (E-4) up to Technical Sergeant (E-6) and looking for a challenging but awarding job building the Air National Guard of the Future, consider applying for one of four new Talent Management (26A-080) positions.

Opening date: 17 September 2026
Closing date: 17 October 2026
Max Rank: TSgt / E-6
Min Rank: SrA / E-4 (With ALS complete)
Location(s): (1)126th Scott AFB, IL; (1)183d WG Springfield, IL; (2) 182d Peoria, IL

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This town hall gave returning Illinois Air National Guard members the opportunity to speak directly with national leadership. The Airmen returned recently from vital missions overseas.

126th ARW Airmen Share Deployment Feedback With Air National Guard Leadership Maj. Gen. Bryony Terrell, deputy director of the Air National Guard, held a town hall with 126th ARW Airmen returning from deployment on Sept. 13, 2026, facilitated by Col. Nicolas Henschel.

It was a busy weekend on the Marseilles Training Area ranges as Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, the 33rd Military Police Battalion, and other units qualified with their small arms. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. G. Alejandro Valdes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs.)

‘Always Out Front’ Unit Cases its Colors as Part of Army Transformation

By Sgt. Xzavier Marte, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Illinois Army National Guard


CHICAGO – C Co. of the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist) cased its colors on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the General Jones Armory in Chicago.
The unit was divested from the Illinois Army National Guard as part of U.S. Army modernization and transformation. Many of the Soldiers will transfer to the 217th Military Intelligence Battalion, an intelligence and electronics warfare unit slated to be activated next month and stationed in nearby Forest Park.
“These colors represent more than a unit. It represents every Soldier who has served under them. Every challenge we've overcome, and every accomplishment we've achieved together,” said 1st Sgt. Dolores Lechnar, C-Co 341st MI BN. The Casing of the Colors ceremony is held to commemorate the unit and its history.
One of those Soldiers who served in the unit was Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff and Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Fonseca joined the unit as a platoon leader and would later serve as its executive officer and finally, commander.
“So, when I look at this guidon today, I don't simply see a piece of cloth. I see people,” Fonseca said. “I see young Soldiers arriving at drill carrying languages and cultures from virtually every corner of the world. I see drill weekends, language training, field exercises, interrogation lanes, readiness requirements, annual training, late nights, early mornings - and friendships that have lasted decades.”
The unit’s most recent commander, Capt. Marketa Jimenez, also expressed gratitude to have been part of C Co., 341st Military Intelligence Battalion. “Thank you for allowing me the grace to grow and learn. Thank you for the privilege to lead and guide, and the challenges that only made me a better leader, a Soldier, and a person," Jimenez said.
The 341st Military Intelligence Battalion was activated on December 1, 1989, and headquartered in Washington State, under the command of Lt. Col. David J. Siefert. It was within this proud lineage that C Co. was established in Chicago in the mid-1990s, calling the Donnelly Armory home.
Since its inception, C Company's mission was clear: to provide human intelligence collection capabilities in support of Army and joint warfighter missions. The unit is composed primarily of human intelligence collectors or “35Ms.”
From 2004 through 2025, the unit’s Soldiers developed and maintained proficiency in more than 20 languages, along with countless regional dialects, making the unit a strategic asset.
Between 2007 and 2009, C Company extended its reach by establishing a detachment in Champaign Urbana, supporting 10 to 15 additional Soldiers across the central and southern regions of Illinois. The detachment reflected the unit's commitment to retaining qualified personnel and expanding its footprint across the state but it concluded operations in 2009.
In September 2008, C Company was attached to 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as part of Joint Task Force Phoenix.
Since its inception, the unit’s Soldiers have also augmented various missions and operations. These engagements have provided Soldiers with opportunities to apply and strengthen their human intelligence, linguistics, and intelligence capabilities while working alongside U.S. joint forces and multinational allies and partners.
In 2019, when flooding threatened communities across Illinois, the unit’s Soldiers were activated for State Active Duty, demonstrating the unit's ability to support both federal missions and domestic emergency-response requirements.
"For me, this ceremony is especially personal. I had the privilege of serving with this company for over 10 years. Over those years, I've watched this unit grow, overcome adversity, and build a reputation for excellence,” Lechnar said.
In August 2021, C Company marked a new chapter by relocating to the historic General Richard L. Jones Armory, here in Chicago, one of Illinois' most storied military facilities that once supported the Manhattan Project. The move marked a significant chapter in the company's history, placing the unit within one of the Illinois' most historic military facilities and continuing its longstanding presence in the Chicago area.
"Whatever the war fighters ask of us , we will rise to the challenge,” Jimenez said. “The Soldiers that made up the heart of Charlie 341st, and military intelligence will always be ‘Always Out Front.’”

Illinois Army National Guard Promotes Macomb Native to Lieutenant Colonel

By Spc. Justin Malone, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs



SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Three sets of hands fastened the silver oak leaf to Maj. Phyllida “Phyl” Shoudel’s uniform Sept. 19 — her husband’s and her two daughters’ — as the Illinois Army National Guard promoted her to lieutenant colonel at the Illinois Military Academy Auditorium at Camp Lincoln.

Col. Michael Barton, the Illinois Army National Guard state personnel officer (G-1), presided over the ceremony and said the room mattered as much as the rank.

“Nothing gives me more joy as a leader than when you’re able to recognize one of your own and see someone advance,” Barton said. “And what makes it even more special is when you’re able to do it in front of family.”

“No one earns a promotion alone,” Shoudel said, thanking the family, peers and mentors who supported her throughout her military career. During the ceremony, she dedicated a reading of the passage “The Measure of a Man” to honor the devotion, patience and character shown by those closest to her.

“This promotion belongs to far more than the person wearing the rank,” she said. “It belongs to every mentor who invested in me … every soldier who trusted me and challenged me, and every friend who encouraged me along the way.”

Shoudel, a resident of Macomb, serves as the G-1 operations officer for the Illinois Army National Guard. Her military career spans more than 18 years, beginning in 2008 when she joined the Illinois Army National Guard as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet with the Western Illinois University ROTC program. She received her commission as an Adjutant General Corps officer in 2010.

Addressing her parents, Jim and Charlene, who attended the ceremony, Shoudel said, “Thank you for raising me in a home where service wasn’t just respected. It was encouraged.” To her husband, she added, “You didn’t just support my career, you made it possible to reach this goal.”

Shoudel also spoke directly to her daughters, Charlie, 6, and Frankie, 4, who moments earlier had helped pin the silver oak leaf to her uniform.

“Charlie and Frankie may not fully understand yet what this promotion means,” she said. “I hope one day you’ll understand what it’s really about — it’s about commitment, it’s about honor, it’s about serving something greater than yourself. Your dad has taught you both to enjoy the ride along the way, and even though it takes unexpected turns, I hope you know I carry you with me every day.”

Barton said the promotion carries weight beyond the insignia. “To make it to the rank of O5 is really a big deal,” he said. “With more rank comes more responsibility. But you’re ready for that, and that’s why you got selected to this position.”

Throughout her career, Shoudel has served in numerous command and staff leadership assignments, including battalion personnel officer, battalion logistics officer, headquarters company commander, battalion operations officer, and executive officer at both the battalion and brigade levels within the 44th Chemical Battalion and the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Her staff leadership also includes serving as battalion personnel officer for both the 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, branch chief in the G-35 Force Integration Readiness Office, training officer for the 44th Chemical Battalion, and 65th Troop Command brigade S-1.

From 2016 to 2017, Shoudel deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. She served as the adjutant general for Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) 18, advising the Afghan National Police 303rd Zone and Afghan National Army 203rd Corps at Advising Platform Lightning on human resources, human rights, and gender integration initiatives.

Her military education includes the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course, Chemical Captain’s Career Course, Chemical Defense Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course, and the Advanced Operations Course.

Shoudel holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts in human resources management from Webster University.

Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and combat “C” device, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Order of the Combat Spur, and Order of the Dragon, alongside numerous state and federal recognitions.

Several senior military leaders and distinguished guests also attended the ceremony, including Col. Paul Metzdorff, chief of staff of the Illinois Army National Guard; Brig. Gen. (ret.) Mark Alessia; and Shoudel’s mother-in-law, Karen.

Shoudel resides in Macomb with her husband, Troy, a local law enforcement officer, their two daughters, Charlie, and Frankie, and their pets.

Photos by Spc. Davanh B. Sanamixay, Illinois National Guard, JFHQ Public Affairs

The Illinois National Guard would like to congratulate Colonel Brian S. Creech. Col Creech retired today after 40+ years of service!