DVIDS – News – South Carolina National Guard Soldier Selected to Serve as Chief of Staff, Senior Guard Advisor to the Commanding General of the United States Army Training Center in Fort Jackson

COLUMBIA, SC – U.S. Army Col. Byron Williams, II, of the South Carolina National Guard, has been selected to serve as Chief of Staff, Senior Guard Advisor to the Commander General of the United States Army Training Center (USATC) in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

“The most important part of this achievement is having the opportunity to contribute and support the basic combat training of great Americans from the 54 states and territories,” said Williams.

Prior to being selected as Chief of Staff, Senior Guard Advisor to the USATC Commanding General, Williams was the Commanding Officer of the 218th Regional Training Institute, South Carolina National Guard, at the McCrady Training Center in Eastover, in Caroline from the south. He held many other positions in the South Carolina National Guard, including the deputy commander of the 218th Maneuver Improvement Brigade and the CEO of the 59th Troop Command.

Williams enlisted in the Army in March 1989 as a Private and served in Germany with the 1-41st Infantry Regiment, then later Desert Shield with Task Force 1-41st. Williams joined the South Carolina National Guard as a specialist in July 1991 and was assigned to C Company, 1-118th Infantry Battalion in Walterboro, South Carolina. He then attended Palmetto Military Academy, Class 44, and was appointed an officer in August 1993.

Williams served in Operation Noble Eagle with the 1-118th Infantry Battalion in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, as well as in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, with the 218th Brigade Combat Team, Training Assistance Group, Advanced Combat Training.

“Without the support over the past 23 years of [my] employer, Morgan Stanley and [my] family, child care would not have been possible, ”said Williams.

Williams grew up in Orangeburg County and currently resides in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife Mandy and their three children – Sean, Kathleen and Dylan.