Chief Warrant Officer nears end of second deployment to Afghanistan

ISAF Regional Command South
Story by Sgt. Antony Lee

Date: 04.07.2014
Posted: 04.07.2014 09:59
News ID: 124642
Chief Warrant Officer nears end of second deployment to Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Soon after Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Broadbent became a warrant officer, he deployed with the 18th Personnel Services Battalion to Afghanistan to serve on his first tour in the country.

It was 2006, and Broadbent would go on to serve as a theater PSB chief, helping deployed service members with personnel matters. His duties took him all over Afghanistan – to Bagram Air Field, Kandahar Airfield, Forward Operating Base Salerno – and even to Kuwait and Qatar, to do his job.

“I enjoy my job when I’m helping Soldiers get their pay issues resolved, get promoted and correct their records,” he said.

Broadbent is again serving in Afghanistan, this time with 4th Infantry Division at Kandahar Airfield as the Regional Command (South) strength manager. His job is to track the accountability of all personnel in RC(S), including contractors, Department of Defense civilians, U.S. military service members and coalition forces.

As he nears the end of his second deployment to Afghanistan and the end of his Army career – he plans to retire in 2015 – Broadbent reflected on his time and service in the Army.

“One of the best things about the Army is we get to help Soldiers,” he said. “We get to travel, we get to see new things and meet new people.”

One of Broadbent’s goals in the Army, he said, was to advance his education and earn a Bachelor’s degree, which he recently accomplished.

“It took 17 years to do it,” he said with a laugh. “To me, that was a great achievement.”

Broadbent began his military career when he enlisted into the U.S. Army in June 1995. He worked in human resources as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years before becoming a warrant officer in 2005.

“I felt I had the technical expertise to become a warrant officer and to train Soldiers,” he said. “I believe the Army trains you to fill the higher positions as you progress through your career. Every experience you have in the military prepares you for the next level.”

Broadbent’s experience in the Army will also benefit his post-Army career. After he retires, he plans to work in human resources as a civilian.

Broadbent arrived at Fort Carson, Colo., in January 2012 to work with 4th Infantry Division. His wife, Christine Broadbent, and his son, Nathan Broadbent, are currently living in Colorado.