LEADERSHIP

MAJ Tom Jackson

MAJ Jackson started his service in the Indiana Guard Reserve (Title 32 - State Defense Force) and held the rank of SGT before deciding to go through OCS and become an officer. MAJ Jackson formally commanded the 1st Indiana Battalion of the U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps before joining the U.S. Volunteers as the Executive Officer for the 51st BCT.

He has deployed to several disasters, included the EF3 Tornado strike in Sullivan, Indiana and Clarksville, TN, as well as Hurricane Helene.

MAJ Jackson is a business owner in the Indianapolis area, a family man, and is involved with volunteer organizations such as KIWANIS and the Boy Scouts.

On 18 APR 26, MAJ Jackson assumed command of the 51st BCT.

Commander

CSM Knute Weick

CSM Knute Weick entered the service through the Iowa National Guard in 1975. Transitioning later to the Regular Army as a Telecommunications / Crypto Operator with 5th Group Special Forces. He eventually went to Infantry school and served in the 47th a 34th Infantry Division (Iowa National Guard) and as the interim Division CSM for the 86th TNG DIV.

He holds three MOS qualifications, 11Z, 12X, and 25E. In addition he was the Honor Student for BNCOC Phase II (Infantry), ANCOC Phase II (Infantry),

In his professional career, CSM Weick was an IT Cyber Security Manager and a member of the FBI's InfraGard Cyber Security Task Force.

CSM Weick is active with many volunteer organizations that cater to Veteran causes. He is on the Board of Directors for Rolling Thunder Chapter 1, which is dedicated to to POW/MIA awareness, a Board Member of the 416th ENCOM Association, and Friends of Fisher.

Over his distinguished 40 years of service in the Army, CSM Weick has earned a plethora of awards and commendations, including a Bronze Star, Army Meritorious Service Medal (6th Award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon with "5" device, German Army Sports Award (Bronze), German Army Shooting Cord (Bronze), National Infantry Association Order of St. Maurice (Bronze), and the Engineer Regiment "de Fleury" (Bronze).

1SG Lopez began his military career in the U.S Air Force and eventually went on to serve in the Indiana Guard Reserve.

In his personal life, he served with the Lake County (Indiana) Sheriff's Office as part of their Search and Rescue team. He specialized in aerial search and rescue and water rescue.

1SG Lopez has been the Training NCO for 51st BCT and is responsible for ensuring the proper order of the unit.