MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. – About 160 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Machesney Park-based 725th Transportation Company celebrated a deployment to U.S. European Command in which the unit completed more than 93 real-world missions, supported two major multinational exercises and delivered more than 2.1 million gallons of fuel, all while making personal and professional improvements in themselves.
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the adjutant general and commander of the Illinois National Guard, lauded the unit’s Soldiers for their superior performance during the deployment, which lasted from October 2024 to September 2025.
“You all are the new leadership of the Illinois National Guard,” Boyd told the Soldiers during the Dec. 13 Welcome Home ceremony at Harlem High School in Machesney Park.
“You now have experience deployed in a foreign land,” Boyd added. “Take that experience and parlay that experience the rest of your career.”
Boyd had told the Soldiers to take care of each other, keep in touch with their families and to “come back a better person” when they deployed in October 2024.
Col. Beth Roxworthy, the commander of the unit’s brigade, the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade, said the Soldiers accomplished those orders. She called the unit “an outstanding team of professionals” who “significantly exceeded all expectations.”
While the 725th Transportation Company carried its guidon forward, the unit was augmented by seven other units in the brigade.
“You quickly molded as a unified team and accomplished amazing things,” Roxworthy said.
Thirty Soldiers were promoted to sergeant, three were promoted to staff sergeant and two were promoted to sergeant first class during the deployment. These Soldiers represented more than 20% of the unit. In addition, Sean Kiefer was promoted to sergeant first class immediately after the Dec. 13 welcome home ceremony, with his spouse, Richelle, pinning his new rank upon his chest.
In addition to supporting multinational exercises Defender Europe 2025 and Saber Guardian 2025 and delivering 2.1 million gallons of fuel – enough gas for a family car to drive round-trip across the United States 4,300 times – the unit also transported more than 125 pallets of ammunition.
During a battalion-wide convoy exercise, the 725th earned the title of the “Best Transportation Company in the Battalion,” Roxworthy said.
The Soldiers also “invested in themselves and the future of the Army,” Roxworthy said.
During the deployment, two Soldiers graduated from the Army’s Advanced Leader Course, one graduated from the Basic Leader Course, one completed the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Course and five graduated from the Drone Buster Course. Thirteen Soldiers completed the 40-hour Basic Skills Education Program, with each improving their General Technical scores on the Armed Forces Classification Test, opening doors to new Army jobs and career progression. Thirty-two Soldiers earned licenses on the Army’s tractor-truck M915, which significantly increased the unit’s capability and interoperability, Roxworthy said.
Boyd, Roxworthy and Capt. Charles Smith, the 725th Transportation Company commander, thanked the Soldiers’ families.
“Your strength, patience and unwavering support made every success possible. You are an essential part of this team, and we are deeply grateful,” Roxworthy said.
Smith relinquished command of the 725th Transportation Company to Capt. Josh Tanneberger in a Change of Command held after the Welcome Home ceremony. Smith has accepted a position on the brigade staff and will be promoted to major.
Smith thanked the unit’s junior enlisted Soldiers, truck platoons, convoy commanders, maintenance section and operations section. He also recognized the unit’s senior enlisted leader, 1st Sgt. Eric Daggett.
“Your leadership, mentorship and steady presence were foundational to this company’s success,” Smith told Daggett. “You set the tone for discipline, accountability and care for Soldiers. We balanced each other well and you always kept me informed and provided sound advice when needed. Your influence on this formation continues to be felt.”
Smith said the unit upheld the Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. Dozens of Soldiers were awarded military medals during the ceremony, ranging from Meritorious Service Medals to Army Achievement Medals.
Among those receiving a Meritorious Service Medal was Spc. Emilia Wawryniuk, the unit’s only human resources specialist who completed 1,350 personnel and administrative actions over a nine-month period, performed Polish translator duties, resolved 18 individual pay and entitlement issues worth approximately $8,400 per month and served as the unit’s training noncommissioned officer, among other accomplishments.
“You represented yourselves, this unit, our state and our nation with pride,” Smith said. “As we stand here today – months after returning home – this moment is about recognition, gratitude and pride. Be proud of what you accomplished. Be proud of how you carried yourselves. And most importantly, never forget what we have achieved together.”