Ohio National Guard News

Celebrating Women's History Month

Fulfilling a life-long dream to serve her country

Q&A with Col. Jennifer Mitchell, 16th Engineer Brigade commander

Interview by Stephanie Beougher, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Sgt. Andrew Kuhn, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Col. Jennifer Mitchell (saluting) assumes command of the 16th Engineer Brigade from Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, during a change of command ceremony June 10, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. Mitchell became the first woman to command the brigade in its 100-year history.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (03/12/18) — Ohio Army National Guard Col. Jennifer Mitchell has experienced major career milestones in the past year. Last June, Mitchell became the first woman to take command of the 16th Engineer Brigade and she was appointed chief of the joint staff for the Ohio Joint Force Headquarters.

Mitchell’s 26 years of service has included positions within the 16th Engineer Brigade, as well as on the Joint Force Headquarters staff. She has also served in assignments at the National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, including in the Office of the Secretary of the Army for the Chief of Legislative Liaison and as an Army Congressional Fellow with the Senate Appropriations Committee. Mitchell has deployed to Nicaragua with Joint Task Force Esteli (New Horizons) in support of the engineer humanitarian relief operation following the devastation from Hurricane Mitch and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

We talked with her about influences and experiences that have shaped her National Guard career.

When and why did you enlist in the
Ohio National Guard?

I began my career in the Ohio Army National Guard in 1991 as a private, and then completed Officer Candidate School and commissioned in 1996.

I grew up with a rich family history of military service. My great-grandfathers both served in World War I, my paternal grandfather in World War II and my maternal grandfather in the Korean conflict. From a young age, I was awe-inspired listening to my grandfathers talk about their service, and I had the amazing opportunity to travel with them to their annual reunion events with their comrades. My father served on a submarine during Vietnam before receiving the calling to become an Army Strong Engineer for his entire career, including in the Ohio Army National Guard for several years. I’ve literally been running around our armories since I was in diapers. Growing up, all I ever wanted to be was a Soldier and to serve my country. I am living my childhood dream every day.

Who have been your mentors, and
in what way did they play an influential
part in your military career?

My parents continue to be involved in every aspect of my life. Regardless of where I’ve ended up around the world, they have always been there. I certainly wouldn’t be standing here today, having achieved so much, without their love, encouragement and support.

I have been surrounded by phenomenal leaders in this organization, at the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon my entire career. It is the leaders in this organization, both up and down the chain of command, from whom I have learned the most, from my earliest days as a very young Soldier to this day, as a senior officer. I have learned the most from the NCOs who took me under their wings along the way, trained me and mentored me, to lead by example, to always take care of Soldiers and their Families, to listen and to do what is right, not necessarily what is popular.        

What is the best piece of military career
advice you have received?

Never stop learning. Never self-eliminate. I have been in school, whether military or civilian, literally my entire career. Keep yourself as competitive as possible. Embrace demanding and challenging assignments and seek broadening opportunities.

What has been the most rewarding
experience during your Guard career?

I’ve had many amazing assignments across numerous organizations. By far, being selected to command the 16th Engineer Brigade where I began my commissioned service is the highlight of my career. I am honored at the opportunity to command this brigade and to grow our next generation of leaders.

You are the first woman to lead the 16th Engineer Brigade.
What does that achievement mean to you?

Leadership is an honor and privilege that is bestowed upon very few. To me this recognition symbolizes the people that have been there as my supporters along the way. Whether they were family, friends, or fellow members of our United States military team, there are many people who have touched my life and mentored me to help me get to where I am today.

Our organizational culture of excellence has not changed from my young days as a private to today. It is absolutely phenomenal what this brigade continues to accomplish year after year. It takes a team effort to achieve such greatness and to sustain it. Each and every Soldier, NCO and officer plays a key role in the overall success that this organization enjoys. We have an incredible amount of experience in our formations and without the individual efforts of our Soldiers, we would not be where we are today. I am continuously amazed by their initiative, dedication and passion for what they do.

Last year, the 16th Engineer Brigade celebrated its 100th birthday and a century of service to America. We must never forget the service of our fellow comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for our freedom. They will always be remembered and we will always be grateful.

This brigade and its units have a distinguished history of service and have answered the call from the battlefields of both World Wars, Southwest Asia, to the current War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. We always have and always will answer the nation’s call.

It is an absolute honor to serve as the commander of the 16th Engineer Brigade and a privilege to continue to serve in the most capable and professional Army in the world.