Long County native Al Berry was promoted Dec. 15 to brigadier general in the U.S. Army. He has served on active duty and in the reserves for 26 years.
Berry commands a newly activated training division at Fort Knox, Ky. His command spans a 12-state area. Although he is headquartered at Fort Knox, Berry spends about two-thirds of his time traveling to visit soldiers throughout his 12-state area.
At his promotion ceremony, Berry thanked God and his family for their support. He also praised his mentors, fellow soldiers, friends and fellow church members.
Berry said he dreamed of a military career before he was commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from the University of Georgia. Berry grew up on a farm not far from Fort Stewart, the youngest of 15 siblings. Five of his nine brothers served in the military and it was Berry’s brother, Bill, who introduced the idea of entering the military through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. When Berry was a freshman at UGA, he enrolled in the Army ROTC program and graduated as a distinguished military graduate.
As the commanding general of his current organization, the 70th Training Command at Fort Knox, Ky., Berry reminds his soldiers that the command’s mission is to train leaders. Therefore, he requires all soldiers to think and act in terms of being a leader. As such, his command adopted the motto, “Trailblazers, lead.” Berry said he thinks the motto keeps soldiers focused on who they are and what they do.
Berry commands a newly activated training division at Fort Knox, Ky. His command spans a 12-state area. Although he is headquartered at Fort Knox, Berry spends about two-thirds of his time traveling to visit soldiers throughout his 12-state area.
At his promotion ceremony, Berry thanked God and his family for their support. He also praised his mentors, fellow soldiers, friends and fellow church members.
Berry said he dreamed of a military career before he was commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from the University of Georgia. Berry grew up on a farm not far from Fort Stewart, the youngest of 15 siblings. Five of his nine brothers served in the military and it was Berry’s brother, Bill, who introduced the idea of entering the military through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. When Berry was a freshman at UGA, he enrolled in the Army ROTC program and graduated as a distinguished military graduate.
As the commanding general of his current organization, the 70th Training Command at Fort Knox, Ky., Berry reminds his soldiers that the command’s mission is to train leaders. Therefore, he requires all soldiers to think and act in terms of being a leader. As such, his command adopted the motto, “Trailblazers, lead.” Berry said he thinks the motto keeps soldiers focused on who they are and what they do.