[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF UNITED STATES ARMY NATIONAL GUARD COLONEL 
                          (COL) CHESTER GUYER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of 
Colonel (COL) Chester Guyer's 31 years of service in the U.S. Army 
National Guard (ARNG). During his long and distinguished career, COL 
Guyer demonstrated his commitment to our nation, serving in numerous 
leadership roles and staff positions. COL Guyer began his military 
career in 1986, when he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 
1988, COL Guyer graduated from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania 
with a degree in Education and an Armor Officer commission as second 
lieutenant. COL Guyer was first assigned to Company D, 1-103rd Armor in 
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he served as Armor platoon leader, 
company executive officer, and company commander in traditional status.
  In 1994, COL Guyer and his wife, Michele, moved to Jackson, 
Mississippi, where he served in the 2-198 Armor Battalion, Headquarters 
and Headquarters Company (HHC) Executive Officer for the 155 Separate 
Armor Brigade. Additionally, COL Guyer served as the Brigade Logistic 
Coordinator for the brigade rotation at the National Training Center 
(NTC), Fort Irwin, California, in the Active Duty for Special Work 
(ADSW) program.
  Entering Title 10 Active Guard Reserve (AGR) status in 1999, COL 
Guyer was assigned to the Fort Knox Armor School. As an instructor for 
the team, COL Guyer assisted with the development and execution of the 
Armor Captain Career Course--Distant Learning. In 2002, COL Guyer was 
assigned as the deputy chief of the Training Development Division (TDD) 
at the Fort Knox Armor School, and oversaw the development of all 
programs of instruction.
  From 2003 to 2006, COL Guyer served as the assistant to the commander 
at the Army Training Support Center (ATSC), Fort Eustis, Virginia. He 
worked on a wide range of training support issues, including 
development of distribution plans for training devices for the ARNG, 
and ensuring Army training support for deploying ARNG units. From March 
until August 2005, COL Guyer served as the ATSC training support 
representative (forward), in Kuwait. During this period, COL Guyer was 
instrumental in fielding laser marksmanship training devices to AC and 
ARNG units in Afghanistan and Iraq, in accordance with the vice chief 
of staff of Army guidance. COL Guyer also helped to build long-term 
training capabilities at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
  In 2006, COL Guyer was assigned as the executive officer for the 
Training Division at the ARNG Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia. 
Selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel, COL Guyer was assigned as 
the chief of the Training Support Branch within the Training Division 
in February 2007, and was promoted lieutenant colonel in April 2007. 
Additionally, COL Guyer served as the ARNG lead for the development of 
the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) , a sub-installation of 
Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
  Selected for command, COL Guyer was assigned to be the first 
commander of the Operations Training Group (OTC) at MUTC. He assumed 
command on July 1, 2009. The OTC conducted monthly integrated 
civilian--military field training events to prepare U.S. government 
civilians to operate with military security in Afghanistan and Iraq. 
Upon completion of command, COL Guyer was reassigned to the Army G3 in 
the Collective Training Division (CTD), where he managed active and 
reserve component training support funding programs.
  Following assignment as deputy chief of staff for the deputy 
commanding general--National Guard at U.S. Army Training and Doctrine 
Command (TRADOC) headquarters, COL Guyer was selected for promotion to 
colonel in 2014, and was reassigned to North American Aerospace Defense 
Command (NORAD) and the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) as 
Deputy Command Center Director and the Chief of the Support and Crew 
Operations (SCO) division.
  His final assignment prior to retirement was Chief, Strategic Plans 
Division (SPD), National Guard Bureau, J5. Retired U.S. Army Major 
(MAJ) Christine Langin, SPD interorganizational strategist & planner, 
recently said COL Guyer's impact on the SPD cannot be overstated. ``His 
methodical and approachable manner brought the concept of integrating 
National Guard all hazards support planning to a higher level, across 
new audiences, and into new sectors,'' MAJ Langin said. ``COL Guyer 
collaborated with more diversified partners than the NGB had ever done 
before, while simultaneously strengthening existing partnerships. This 
effort was critical during the historic hurricane season of 2017, where 
COL Guyer led the National Guard Bureau Future Plans Center and 
anticipated the support requirements to all of the impacted states, as 
well as those states providing response assets. COL Guyer will be long 
respected and spoken of, particularly when NGB remembers leaders who 
were given tough problems and always delivered thoughtful solutions.''
  Colonel (COL) Douglas C. Rose, Jr., NORAD and USNORTHCOM LNO to FEMA 
Engineer, said COL Guyer distinguished himself throughout his career. 
COL Rose recommended COL Guyer for the Legion of Merit Award in 
recognition of his meritorious service. ``COL Guyer's service was 
marked with effective leadership, keen analysis, and superb dedication 
that proved invaluable to the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard and 
the National Guard Bureau,'' COL Rose said. ``The singularly 
distinctive accomplishments of COL Guyer culminate a long and 
distinguished career in the service of this county and reflect great 
credit upon himself, the Army National Guard, and the United States 
Army.''
  COL Guyer's many awards and decorations include The Legion of Merit, 
the Defense Meritorious Award, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with 
six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Service Medal, the 
Mississippi Magnolia Medal, the Indiana Distinguished Service Medal, 
the Order of Saint George (Bronze) Medal, and the Army Staff 
Identification Badge.
  COL Guyer is a member of the United States Armor Association and the 
Mississippi Army National Guard Association.
  Throughout his career, COL Guyer has been supported by his loving 
family, including his wife, Michele; and his two daughters, Julia and 
Madeline.
  I am grateful for COL Guyer's service to our great nation. He is a 
trusted friend. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________