Syracuse-based Army National Guard Infantry Brigade welcomes former Burlington resident Col. Robert Charlesworth as new commander
Charlesworth led the Vermont National Guard's 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry during an Afghanistan deployment in 2010
Fort Drum, NY (06/24/2019) — Army National Guard Col. Robert Charlesworth, a former Burlington resident who commanded the Vermont Army Natlonal Guard's 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan in 2010, took command of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony at Fort Drum on Saturday, June 22.
Charlesworth took over from Col. Christopher Cronin, a Rochester resident and special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as commander of the brigade.
Maj. Gen. Steven Ferrari, 42nd Infantry Division Commander, served as the reviewing officer.
"[Col. Charlesworth] is uniquely qualified to command the 27th IBCT with over 24 years of military experience," Ferrari said as he welcomed the new brigade commander.
"These two officers are leaders of character, competence, and commitment," Ferrari said. "They epitomize everything we expect and demand of our senior leaders."
Ferrari said under Cronin's command, the 27th went through a redesign, added new units and equipment to its ranks, deployed Soldiers to Ukraine and Australia, and maintained a high level of readiness.
"The BCT performed magnificently and you should be proud of your team's accomplishments," Ferrari told Cronin.
As he addressed his Soldiers for the final time, Cronin recalled more than a dozen locations around the world in which they had served during his two years in command.
"Either supporting individual mobilizations, or leaving the state in a formation, you have left your families and travelled abroad protecting our nation and enforcing its strategic interests," Cronin said. "You are all heroes."
Charlesworth told the Soldiers he is honored and humbled to serve with the 27th, and excited for a return to the field.
"I'm looking forward to training with our Soldiers and coming home with a little mud on my boots again," Charlesworth said.
Charlesworth commissioned as an Engineer Officer through Army ROTC in 1992. He began his service as a Platoon Leader and later Company Executive Officer assigned to 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga. He then served as a staff officer and Company Commander in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, followed by an assignment as an Engineer Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.
Charlesworth transitioned to the Vermont Army National Guard in 2001 and served as a staff officer and as a Brigade Operations Officer in the 86th Brigade Combat Team, and later as Battalion Commander for 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment. Concurrently, he held management positions with the International Business Machines Corporation and then the Goodrich Aerospace Corporation.
Since 2011, Charlesworth has served in staff positions on active duty for the Army National Guard. His assignments include Executive Officer to the Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters Department of the Army, and as Deputy, Assistant to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard and Reserve Matters.
Charlesworth will continue his service on active duty as the 27th IBCT's full-time commander.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Force Reserve Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Sapper Tab, and Ranger Tab.
Charlesworth holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University and a Master's Degree in Project Management from George Washington University.
Charlesworth, who grew up in Kingston, N.Y., is relocating to Syracuse with his wife Betsy and their three children, Myles, Morgan, and Martin.
Media Attachments
Col Robert Charlesworth (left) receives the colors of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, from Major General Steven Ferrari, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, during change-of-command ceremonies at Fort Drum, N.Y. on June 22, 2019. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Avery Schneider)
New York National Guard
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