Members of the First Company, while members of the Military Department of the State of Connecticut, serve a variety of roles in-state, but generally are not called for active service outside the State of Connecticut in accordance with the historic 1771 Charter.  One of the more recent in-state roles saw members of the First Company, along with members of the other 3 Organized Militia Units serving in an emergency capacity in the Joint Operations Center at the State Armory in Hartford in the days following Hurricane Katrina in September of 2005.   Recent service not withstanding, members of the First Company are more likely to be called to service in other, non-First Company roles.

The Blue Star Flag icon above serves to honor the members of the First Company who are currently serving or have served in an active duty status in some component of the United States Military since Sept. 11, 2001.   The soldiers below are all members of the First Company who are either on active duty with the National Guard or Reserve, or who have completed a tour of duty with the National Guard or Reserve since September 11, 2001.

TRAVIS BOARD

     Travis joined the First Company in 1997 while attending UConn.  In 1999, he was selected by the Air Force Reserve at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, to become a C-5 Pilot.  He was sent to Officer Training School and Air Force Pilot Training.   After almost two years of training in Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Washington, Travis graduated in September of 2001.  The following month, his squadron at Westover was activated to support Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

     The C-5 "Galaxy" is the largest aircraft in the free world.  It's the Air Force's over-sized transport designed to haul personnel, equipment, and over-sized cargo anywhere in the world, for any conflict or need, at a moments' notice.  Since his activation in the Reserves, Travis has traveled to many places all over the world and has flown extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East...including missions in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.  He has participated in missions supporting Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom/Noble Eagle, Counter Drug flights, numerous missions in direct support of the President, and, most recently, Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He normally flies trips lasting 14 to 21 days with a 3 to 5 day break at home before the next trip.

     Travis is currently a Captain in the Air Force Reserve and still on Active Duty orders.  He attends Foot Guard functions whenever possible between trips.

CPT Travis Board

RICK MARSHAL

     Rick started his military career In September of 1989 when he joined the United States Army.   He spent nearly six years in the Army, in the branch he liked best, the Infantry.  During that time, he received the Good Conduct Medal, The Army Achievement Medal (6 awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.   Rick left the Army in August 1995 with the rank of Sergeant.    After leaving the Army, Rick missed being involved with the military so he joined the First Company Governor's Foot Guard in October of 1996.  It didn't hurt that the unit was a 'foot' unit because that's what he was, a 'foot soldier'.   

     Rick fit in well with the Foot Guard and after several years worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant.    It was about that time that the Connecticut Legislature passed a measure that would allow militia members to also belong to the National Guard concurrently with the stipulation that the National Guard requirements had priority.   This set the stage for Rick to join the National Guard.   

     It wasn't long before Rick enrolled in Officer Candidate School and became a Second Lieutenant in the (you guessed it) Infantry.   Since his graduation and commissioning, Rick has completed an Active Duty Tour in Homeland Defense, performing security duties and force protection support as part of Operation Noble Eagle III at West Point, New York, and a tour overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.   Rick holds the rank of First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard.

Rick currently holds the rank of First Lieutenant in the Foot Guard, and is assigned to the Officer's Staff.

SFC J. Bednarz

GERRY SANTOS

     Gerry Santos started his military career as a Marine, and served from December of 1981 through January of 1986.   During that time he was a Food Service Specialist, but he also attended NCO Academy, was a Rifle Expert, and saw sea service.  He received the Good Conduct Medal.

      Gerry joined the First Company in December of 1991.  By November of 1996 he had attained the rank of Corporal, and in 1997 he was promoted to Sergeant.   During this time Gerry was on a number of Prize Drill Squads, his first coming only months after joining.  He was a Wilcox Medal Winner in 1996 and holds a good number of Perfect Attendance Medals.   In April of 2001 Gerry attended the National Guard's Advanced NCO Course and received the Army Professional Leadership Development Ribbon.   There is no endeavor that the Foot Guard took on, that Gerry wasn't a key member of the team, such as his major roll in our Dog Show events.   Gerry was promoted to First Sergeant in February of 2001.

      Once the opportunity came for Militia members to also belong to the National Guard, Gerry joined and became a member of Training Site Support Detachment at Camp Rowland in Niantic Connecticut.   As is usual with Gerry, he became an integral part of that unit and performed enthusiastically.

     When Operation Iraqi Freedom began and the 248th Engineer Company was called to active duty, Gerry joined that unit and was shipped with them to Iraq.  Gerry is back stateside now and has resumed his duties with the First Company. 

SFC J. Bednarz