Task Force Phoenix

Command Sergeant Major John W. Harrelson was born in Conway, SC on 1 November 1948. CSM Harrelson is a graduate of Conway High School and has earned an Associates Degree in Engineering from Horry Georgetown Technical College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree Business Management from Coker College.

CSM Harrelson enlisted into the Marine Corps on 6 September 1967 and served for 4 years. He was discharged from the USMC on 5 September 1971. He joined the National Guard on 11 September 1984. His first unit of assignment was A Company, 1/263rd Armor Battalion in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. CSM Harrelson was appointed to Command Sergeant Major of the 1/263rd Armor Battalion on 31 October 2001. He went on to serve as the 218 enhanced Separate Brigade Sergeant Major on 1 May 2004.

CSM Harrelson’s military schools include the Primary Leadership Course, Basic NCO School, Advanced NCO Course, 1SGs Course, Sergeants Major Academy.

CSM Harrelson’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

CSM Harrelson is the owner of Harrelson’s Construction Company, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Colonel Gregory W. Batts received his commission as an Infantry second lieutenant in May 1979 through the ROTC program at Wofford College where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Throughout his military career he has served as a traditional Citizen-Soldier in the SCARNG while pursuing a civilian career with the Charleston South Carolina Police Department from which he retired in October 2003. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on 10 April 2003, and assigned as the Deputy Commander, 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade on 1 October 2005. Upon the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan in May 2007 COL Batts became Deputy Commander, CJTF Phoenix VI.

Colonel Batts’ previous assignments in the SCARNG include Platoon Leader, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Executive Officer, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Company Commander, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Company Commander, C Company 1-118 Infantry, S3-Air, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), S3-Air, 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade, S3, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), Executive Officer 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), Battalion Commander, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), S3, 59th Troop Command, Executive Officer, 59th Troop Command, and Chief of Staff, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

Colonel Batts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Wofford College in 1979, a Master of Arts degree in Education from the Citadel in 1994, and Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College in 2004.

Colonel Batts’ formal military schools include the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, and the U.S. Army War College.

Colonel Batts’ military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.

Brigadier General Robert E. Livingston was born in Columbia, SC on 17 July 1956. BG Livingston is a graduate of Airport High School and has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Hampden-Sydney College, a Bachelors and Masters in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and various Engineering and Construction Continuing Education Courses.

BG Livingston has been Commander, 218th Infantry Brigade since 1 October 2005. He enlisted in the SCARNG in March 1978 and received his commission from the Palmetto Military Academy on 30 June 1980. BG Livingston’s key assignments have been as Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader, 4-118 Infantry Battalion, Commander, A/122nd Engineer Battalion; Commander, 125th Engineer Company; Commander, 178th Engineer Battalion; Commander, 122nd Engineer Battalion, Director of Training (POTO); and Commander of Task Force 218. BG Livingston was last assigned as Deputy Brigade Commander 218th eSB (M).

BG Livingston’s military schools include the United States Army Infantry Basic Training, Airborne School, Officers Candidate School (Palmetto Military Academy), United States Army Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Courses, United States Army Engineer Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College and United States Army War College.

BG Livingston’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Deployment Ribbon and Airborne Badge.

BG Livingston is the owner and president of a $65 Million Dollar a year Electrical Construction Company.

BG Livingston and his wife, Barbara, have four children and live in South Carolina.