CHAPTER CHATTER
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
MEMBER PROFILE – Brandon D. Angel
My name is Brandon Angel and I served for four years active duty in the United States Army as an infantryman. I enlisted at the age of twenty-three after working various jobs. I had worked at Georges in Edinburg, ADT, and various other odd jobs. After enlisting and completing basic and OSUT at Fort Benning, GA, I was assigned to 2ID in Korea. Once getting to Korea however, I was selected for a more prestigious position because of my GT Score, PT score, and qualification. I was assigned to the United Nations Command Security Bn, Joint Security Area.
Brandon Angel at the DMZ.
We were tasked with doing patrols along the DMZ and provide security for dignitaries and Heads of States.
I personally did security for hundreds of princes, princesses, and prime ministers. We would consistently do training when we had the time to along the DMZ and that was my best time in the military. I received multiple awards while there including an ARCOM for getting a perfect score shooting gunnery for 4-7 CAV, and my Air Assault badge while in
Korea. After Korea I went to Fort Carson, CO and served with B co 1-12.
I would continue to serve there until my initial contract enlistment because I would end up having to have multiple knee surgeries. After getting home, I immediately enrolled at LFCC at Middletown and was deeply involved in the college activities. I was the Student Veterans Association President, a student ambassador, a Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society member, Honor’s Program Scholar, and student government member. I would graduate Magna Cum Laude, and Honor’s Program Scholar with my Associates of Arts and Science in General Studies.
I would receive multiple awards while there including the Grisdale Family Veterans Fund Award for Outstanding Student Veteran of the year, Student Ambassador of the year, and would get selected for the VET initiative through the Washington Center in Washington D.C. This Program only selects 25 veterans country-wide and sets us up for an internship at the federal level. I graduated from that program and am currently working on my bachelors of science of Political science with a minor in International Studies from Liberty University. I am also involved in the local AMVETS and VFW chapters as well.