ROTC at Florida Tech

SFC Brandon enlisted as a Fire Support Specialist in 2000, completing Basic and Advanced Individual training at Fort Sill, OK. SFC Brandon’s duty assignments include Ft. Bragg, NC, Schofield Barracks, HI, Ft. Campbell, KY, and Osan AB, South Korea.

SFC Brandon has served in numerous leadership positions including Forward Observer, Squad Leader, Fire Support Noncommissioned Officer (Team Chief and Section NCOIC), Targeting NCO, Small Group Leader, Senior Small Group Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant (NCOIC and SGM). SFC Brandon has deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

SFC Brandon’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster), Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), Nation Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (4 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, (5th Award), NATO Defense Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Parachutist Badge, and the Norwegian Foot March Badge.

SFC Brandon’s additional military training includes the Advanced Airborne School Jumpmaster Course, the Total Army Instructor Trainer Course, the Small Group Leader Instructor Trainer Course, Joint Firepower Controllers Course, Joint Fires Observer Course, Battle Staff Course, and Master Resiliency Trainer Course.

SFC Brandon has been married to the former Robin M. Helm since 1995, and they have been blessed with three children: Victoria, Jordan, and Matthew.

“SSG Garutti was born in Rockledge, FL on October 30th 1969 and lived on Merritt Island until he enlisted in the United States Army on 07 July 1988. He received his basic and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, OK. During his initial time of service he served as a Paratrooper for an accumulative period of 2 years as a Cannon Crewman with the 319th AFAR, 82d Airborne Division. In September 2002, he reentered service in the Florida Army National Guard, re-classing to Infantry and in September 2006 transferred back to Active Duty. In 2014 he served as a SR. Drill SGT, training new enlisted Infantry Soldiers on Sand Hill, Ft. Benning, GA.

SSG Garutti's previous assignments include: 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg NC.; 1st Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment and 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade, Florida Army National Guard; 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA; and 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Training Battalion, 198th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, GA.

He has completed the Basic Airborne School, the Warrior Leader’s course, the Advance Leader’s Course phase I and II, and Drill Sergeant school.

His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal; the Army Commendation Medal (2OLC); the Army Achievement medal (2OLC); the Army Good Conduct Medal (5th award); the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; the Afghan Campaign medal (w/ 1 star); the Iraq Campaign medal (w/ 3 stars); the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (w/ NO 2); the Army Service Medal; the Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award); The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (W/M); the Parachutist Badge; the Drill Sergeant Badge; the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.”