INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana National Guard in March announced the inception of the 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade.
Indiana’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, is pleased to announce the unit’s first leader, Col. Jeff Hackett, who has served as Indiana’s director of plans, training and operations since September 2017.
“It is a great honor to have been selected by Maj. Gen Carr to lead the 54th SFAB from its start,” said Hackett, of Westfield. “Standing up a new unit presents different challenges than one would experience with a veteran organization, but the ultimate goal is the same, to provide ready soldiers to the governor and president when asked to do so.”
The 54th is part of the U.S. Army’s initiative to help foreign military forces across the globe, and the only one in the National Guard’s arsenal. There are five in the active-duty Army.
The new brigades are the Army's first permanent units that will conduct security cooperation activities, allowing quick response to combatant commander requirements, and Carr sees Hackett as the perfect fit.
“When deployed, SFAB soldiers will be the day-to-day experts combatant commanders need to train, advise and assist our allied and partnered indigenous security forces,” said Carr. “I can’t think of a better commander than Jeff, who has served as an infantry officer for more than two decades and who has exceptionally led at every level from platoon to battalion and now brigade.”
The National Guard brings its unique, dual-mission to state and nation to bear in a brigade that’s focus will be on training, advising and assisting. Since 2001 the Indiana National Guard has deployed thousands of troops to serve in this capacity from agribusiness development teams to embedded training teams.
“The SFAB's mission will require our soldiers to be more than just soldiers. They will be mentors, instructors, and advisers amongst other things,” said Hackett. “Additionally, the Army National Guard's experience over the last decade in adviser roles provides the SFAB with a core group of experienced soldiers right at the start.”
Hackett also said that Guard soldiers, in addition to their military career specialty, also bring their civilian-acquired skills and experience to the table in their roles as advisers and mentors.
“One of the unique qualities Army National Guard soldiers possess is their experience in the civilian world and their expertise in their chosen career,” said Hackett. “Our soldiers bring these civilian skill sets with them when it is time to deploy.”
Indiana will be one of six National Guard states that will house force structure for one of the first National Guard security force assistance brigades. The Indiana National Guard will be home to a brigade headquarters consisting of approximately 90 citizen-soldiers, primarily senior-ranking and staff personnel.
The Indiana National Guard will host town-hall meeting across the state looking for interested service members in join the new brigades.
Hackett is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, U.S. Army War College, the Army Airborne and Ranger Courses. He is married to Ozelle, his wife of 24 years. They have two sons, Jackson, 18, and Graham, 14.
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