NCO Journal visits 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

Minnesota National Guard
Story by Sgt. John Angelo

Date: 09.17.2011
Posted: 10.03.2011 12:16
News ID: 77941
NCO Journal visits 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. - The 34th Red Bull Infantry Division has a long and impressive history and the NCO Journal was in town to capture that story. Jennifer Mattson, a reporter and editor for the NCO Journal, headquartered at the United States Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas, visited Camp Ripley, Minn., Sept. 16 and 17. She was gathering information and talking to Non-Commissioned Officers of the division while they were on their drill weekend qualifying on M4 carbine rifle and M9 pistol.

Mattson, who’s hometown just happens to be Eden Prairie, Minn., interviewed different NCO’s at different stages of their career from Sgt. Jennifer Noel, a legal assistant with the JAG section to Command Sergeant Major of the 34th Infantry Division, Doug Julin.

“The NCO Journal prides itself on highlighting stellar NCOs, who set the example, strive to better themselves and the Army and help their soldiers,” explained Mattson about the journals mission and her mission to do a story about the history of the Red Bulls. “Being able to highlight those NCOs in the state that I grew up in is truly amazing. They serve the community where my family lives, where I grew up and where I still call home.”

Mattson graduated from the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn., with a double major in English and Communications. She started working for the military in 2009 and trained at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md. DINFOS is same school that all military Journalists and Public Affairs personnel attend.

While at Camp Ripley, Matteson also visited the ranges and talked to various NCO’s about how proud they were of being in the Division and why they joined.

“It's an awesome experience to not only be able to report on NCOs, who really are the backbone of the Army, but to do so in the state I grew up in--it combines the best of both worlds,” said Mattson.

Journalists from the magazine are traveling around the country and the world highlighting both regular Army and National Guard Units. Mattson was happy to come to Minnesota and do the story on the Red Bulls.

“Minnesota is a special place for me; it's not only where I grew up, but where I still call home,” said Mattson. “I travel around a lot of the Army, but there's always a pride that I have when I'm able to talk with Minnesota soldiers because of their dedication not only to the Army but to our state.”

The story on the Red Bulls will be in the NCO Journal sometime after January 2012.