[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E941-E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE CAREER OF SERGEANT FIRST CLASS TREVOR BRITTELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
military career of Sergeant First Class Trevor Brittell in the 
Connecticut Army National Guard which recently ended after 25 years of 
valorous service. Sergeant Brittell officially discharged on September 
8, 2021, which is being publicly celebrated post-COVID on its one-year 
anniversary this month. Throughout his years of distinguished service, 
Trevor has been a shining pillar of duty, compassion, and 
professionalism. His retirement has been well-deserved.
  Trevor's Connecticut roots have taken hold since a young age, when he 
and his family moved to Simsbury, Connecticut from their home state of 
California at age six. Upon his graduation from Simsbury High School, 
Trevor followed in the steps of his late grandfather and voluntarily 
enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1997, where he was assigned to 
the 102nd Infantry. During this time, Trevor enrolled at Western 
Connecticut State University where he studied Justice and Law 
Administration, a curriculum he later applied to his work at the guard 
and local law enforcement.

[[Page E942]]

  Madam Speaker, Trevor's enlistment in the Army National Guard altered 
his life's trajectory forever, particularly with the 9-11 terrorist 
attack on U.S. soil. As every guard member and reservist knows, the 
demands on the reserve forces changed dramatically in the wake of 9-11. 
Every mission overseas by the U.S. military, whether in the Middle East 
or other hot spots required the robust and highly skilled men and women 
of our Nation's reserve forces. Sergeant Brittell's deployments after 
9-11 are a perfect example of that pattern. A week after 9-11, he was 
deployed as an infantryman to Bosnia under Operation Joint Forge. Upon 
his return to the States, he was stationed at West Point under 
Operation Noble Eagle, supporting security efforts on U.S. military 
installations which were dramatically hardened after 9-11, requiring 
more personnel. That assignment rekindled a strong interest in a career 
as a Military Policeman. He also made another positive life decision 
during this point in his life, meeting and marrying his wife, Kateri.
  Like all military families, the call to duty resulted in inevitable 
separations, which he and his wife steadfastly endured. In 2006, with 
the rank of Corporal, he successfully completed an 18-month deployment 
to Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return he made 
the decision to commit his skill and training to military policing. 
Almost immediately upon his graduation as a Military Policeman, then-
promoted Sergeant Brittell was deployed in 2009 on a second, 12-month 
tour in the Middle East under Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Upon his return to Connecticut, Trevor was promoted to Staff Sergeant 
and transferred to the Regional Training Center in Camp Niantic, 
passing on the most impactful lessons and training which he had 
experienced over the years to new trainees. In 2014, he transferred 
closer to home with an eye set on continued operational leadership, 
serving as squad leader of the 143rd Military Police Company in West 
Hartford, Connecticut. Though Brittell transferred again and was 
promoted to Sergeant First Class in the interim, he ultimately returned 
to the 143rd, serving with the Company through to retirement, even 
being deployed once more to support safety procedures during the 2021 
presidential inauguration and further operating as Team Commander of 
the 143rd Military Police team for the 2021 SWAT Challenge.
  Despite Trevor's demanding schedule within the Connecticut National 
Guard, he found time to serve through many additional roles, including 
his most important as a father to his two children, Cara and Jack. In 
2014, Trevor also began a second career with the Simsbury Police 
Department, purposing his valuable skills as a Military Policeman 
toward the safety of his hometown. During 2013 and 2014, Trevor also 
served in the Honor Guard for the Hartford Judicial Marshalls and is 
currently in the Honor Guard for the Simsbury Police Department. He is 
also, of note, the School Resource Officer for Simsbury High School. In 
that challenging job, he is entrusted with the safety and health of our 
state's most precious treasure, our children. With his commitment to 
creating bonds of trust in law enforcement with young people, Trevor 
volunteered to act as the director of the Simsbury Police Cadets.
  Madam Speaker, it is hard to capture the entirety of SFC Brittell's 
passion for his community and nation which has been present throughout 
his life and career. He has and continues to live a life that is 
defined by patriotism and compassion. Although his career with the 
military has come to a conclusion, we will forever appreciate his sharp 
sense of dedication, which has undoubtedly been further instilled 
within the countless trainees under his watch. I hope that his example 
of selfless dedication to his fellow citizens is carried on, and that 
he is able to enjoy a fruitful retirement with his family, while still 
serving the town of Simsbury. To that end, I ask my colleagues in the 
House to join me in honoring and congratulating Trevor Brittell for his 
dedication to our Nation through the Army National Guard.

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