On Monday, 17 March 2025, the AGCRA Iron Mike Chapter kicked off its 2025 AG Week at Fort Bragg, NC. The virtual edition of the Spring RunIronMikeRun 5K began for 22 registrants located across the United States and overseas. Virtual participants were instructed to complete their 5K within the week and post a picture to social media with their race shirt and medal using the hashtag #runironmikerun. Locally, the Chapter set up at its new headquarters at the Two Two Six The Warehouse, located at 226 Donaldson Street, Fayetteville, NC, to hand out packets to 118 in-person registrants.
On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, the Chapter hosted three events. From 0530 to 0620 hrs, registrants and sponsors checked in on Polo Field, Fort Bragg for the in-person Spring RunIronMikeRun 5K. Upon completion of check-in, USASOC G-1’s leadership team of COL Rob Gray and SGM Danielle Yacopino offered words of encouragement to runners and walkers, reminding all of the importance of building partnerships, friendships, and relationships. 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) CSM David Waldo added to the words of inspiration reinforcing the importance of the AG Corps in support of our warfighters and Families. Chaplain Glenn Brooks of the 82nd Airborne Division delivered a beautiful prayer of coverage for each of the run and walk participants. Finally, the Iron Mike Chapter President provided a route and safety brief. This was the biggest Chapter 5K to date with 140 total registrants!
Following the 5K, 19+ subject matter experts from across the installation gathered at the Fort Bragg Soldier and Family Readiness Group Center on Pope Army Airfield for two sessions of the Chapter’s AG Speed Mentorship. Soldiers eagerly met with mentors and discussed relevant AG topics including talent and strength management, assessment and service in special operations, recruiting and retention, support to security forces assistance command, and many other topics. The collaboration and excitement about the AG mission was undeniable and inspirational!
The final event of the day was just as informative. Held in the same building as the mentorship sessions, the Chapter President moderated the Soldier Support Leader Panel consisting of leaders from Fort Bragg’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) and Child and Youth Services (CYS). Mrs. Angela Holmes of FAP and Mrs. Doreen Jenkins of CYS masterfully fielded questions regarding trends, mission, and current and future initiatives for their respective agencies. A video of this event is available on our FB page.
On Wednesday, 19 March 2025, the Chapter leadership conducted a PAUSEX to reset and prepare for the final three events set for Thursday. Chapter Executive Council members met for lunch for an AAR of the first three events and final preparations for the remaining events.
On Thursday, 20 March 2025, the Chapter hosted the remaining three events of AG Week 2025 at Fort Bragg. The morning started with the Spring Breakfast at the Iron Mike Conference Center (IMCC). The event sold out as usual (165 tickets) and the venue was packed with AG Professionals. Special guest speakers included COL Chesley Thigpen, Chief of the AG Corps and AG School Commandant; CSM Jasmine Young, AG Corps and AG School CSM; CW5 Chad Bowen, AG Corps and AG School CWO; and SGM John Grant Sr., Installation Management Command G-1 Sergeant Major . CW4 (Ret) Rob Savage addressed the audience to highlight the significance of the Chapter’s partnership with the Two Two Six The Warehouse.
Also, on behalf of the AGCRA, the Chapter presented seven AG Professionals with the Association's COL Robert L. Manning Achievement Medal for their promotion of the objectives and purposes of the AGCRA and AG Corps – 1LT Summer Emblem, 1LT Darth Wagner, CW4 (Ret) Rob Savage, MSG Heather Henry, SPC Thomas Buckley, SPC Wilfred Marte, and PFC Justis Lord.
Following a delicious meal and some very insightful guidance from guest speakers, the Chapter doubled down on professional development with a Senior Leader Panel. CPT Matt Jacobson expertly moderated dialogue with 14 AG Senior Leader panelists as they shared leadership philosophies, operational experiences, and personal counsel with AG Professionals from across the installation. The dialogue was very fruitful and is available for viewing by clicking the link HERE.
The final event of AG Week was Right Arm Night, which took place at the same place where it began, the new headquarters for the Iron Mike Chapter – the Two Two Six The Warehouse. Chapter members gathered to close out a very successful and eventful week as they checked out the headquarters and the rest of the venue. Everyone enjoyed each other’s company – AG Week was capped off in grand fashion!
Finally, congratulations to our Spring Raffle Winners!
1st Prize – Two tickets to the 2025 AGCRA National Ball
SSG Cynthia Brown
SFC Trina Ford
2nd Prize – Two tickets to the 2025 AGCRA Iron Mike Chapter Ball
SFC Michael Wilder
3rd Prize – Gift Baskets
LTC Liz Kent – Mission BBQ Basket
LTC Johanna Johnson – Swag Basket
SFC Trina Ford – Swag Basket
$50 Gift Card
SSG Marina Serghis
Special Thanks (not previously mentioned)...
Overall Planning and Event Support:
MAJ Tiffany Adams
CH (CPT) Scott Klein
CW4 Tonya Gonzales
WO1 Kiante Long
1LT Andrew Caskey
1LT Darth Wagner
MSG Myeshia Boston
MSG Cherly Jasmin-Bellamy
SFC Michael Wilder
SSG Keri Singleton
SSG Gabrielle Saunders
Mentors:
LTC Johanna Johnson
LTC Kory Kramer
MAJ Tiffany Adams
MAJ Kara Walker
CPT Tyler Hebert
CW3 Dante Steel
CW2 Jameilla Gadsden
CW2 John Budwine
SGM Kyle Schmidt
1SG David Sanders
MSG Heather Henry
MSG Maria Mastronardi
MSG Neil Shaw
SFC Michael Wilder
SFC Sandra Serrano
SFC Jovan Maires
SFC Jeremiah Carr
SFC Derek Hopkins
SFC Joshua Armstrong
SSG Keri Singleton
Senior Leader Panel Members (in order of seating):
SGM Danielle Yacopino
COL Rob Gray
LTC Kory Kramer
LTC Liz Kent
CW5 Monique Wise
SGM Jeremy Allnutt
SGM Shauna Addison
COL April Wharton
Mr. Thomas Battle
Mr. Leon Wyatt
SFC Tishae Rice
COL Chesley Thigpen
CSM Jasmine Young
CW5 Chad Bowen
Chapter Breakfast Support:
MAJ Tiffany Adams (Narrator)
CH (CPT) Viktor Rozsa (Invocation)
SSG Robert McMillan (Vocalist from the 82d ABN DIV Chorus who performed the National Anthem)
CPT Steven Stanley (Benediction)
Event Sponsors and Supporters:
Two Two Six The Warehouse
AGCRA Lone Star Chapter
First Command
160th SOAR Recruiting
RedCoat Design Lab
Attention Ink
Orange Theory Fitness
US Logoworks
Just Love Coffee
Prime IV Hydration and Wellness
Mission BBQ
Kenisa Dokes and Nakelya Moragne
Kathy Greggs
Iron Mike Conference Center Staff
Photo Credits: MSG Myeshia Boston, VP, Plans and Programs, and CW4 (Ret) Rob Savage
Storyboard Credit: MAJ (Ret) Patrick Davis