Cadre
Mr. Brendlinger has deployed several times while enlisted in the Maryland Army National Guard. His deployments include Hurricane Katrina/ Rita relief efforts in 2005, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2006-2007, Kuwait in 2016-2017 in support for Operation Inherent Resolve, and several State Missions across Maryland.
Mr. Brendlinger’s military education includes Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor, Battle Staff, Joint Mission Assurance Assignment, Senior Leaders Course, CBRN Technical Escort, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education.
Mr. Brendlinger Currently lives in Parkville, Md with his wife and three children. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, volunteering at his Son’s Scouts Troop/Pack, and spending time with family since April 2019.
Captain (CPT) Juan Ospina has served as an enlisted Quartermaster Soldier and Officer for over 12 years. He was born in Cali, Colombia and came to the United States with his parents at the age of 8. He served as an enlisted quartermaster Soldier for four years in the MOS of Unit Supply Specialist (92Y). Captain Ospina graduated from Florida Atlantic University as a Distinguished Military Graduate in May 2016 and upon graduation was commissioned in the U.S Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.
His civil education includes an Associates in Arts from Palm Beach State College and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Military Science from Florida Atlantic University. His military education includes the Basic Combat Training, Quartermaster Advanced Individual Training (92Y), Unit Armorer Course, the Quartermaster Basic Officer Leader Course (Honor Graduate and Commandant’s List) and the Logistics Captains Career Course (Honor Graduate and Commandant’s List).
Captain Ospina’s military service began in 2008 at Camp Coiner, South Korea where he was assigned to the 41st Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade. He served as the supply sergeant for the 275th Signal Company. In 2010 Captain Ospina was reassigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 10th Mountain Infantry Division (LI) where he served as the supply Sergeant for D Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry regiment.
Upon commissioning and following the completion of the Quartermaster BOLC at Fort Gregg- Adams, Virginia, CPT Ospina was assigned to the 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), 25th Sustainment Brigade at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. There, he served with 40th Composite Supply Company (CSC), as the Water, Shower and Laundry Platoon Leader and Petroleum Platoon Leader.
In November 2017, Captain Ospina deployed with the 40th Composite Supply Company (CSC) in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where he was selected to move forward to Iraq to conduct logistical operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. CPT Ospina was assigned to the forward 38th Sustainment Brigade, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), 40th Composite Supply Company (CSC) as the Water, Shower, and Laundry Platoon leader and the petroleum platoon leader.
After the unit's re-deployment, CPT Ospina was then assigned to the 536th Support Maintenance Company (SMC), 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), 25th Sustainment Brigade where he served as the company’s Executive Officer.
In May 2020, after the completion of the Logistics Captains Career Course (LOG-C3), CPT Ospina was assigned as the Battalion S4 for the 68th Division Sustainment Support Battalion (DSSB), 4th Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado.
In May 2021, CPT Ospina took command of Alpha Company, 68th Division Sustainment Support Battalion (DSSB), 4th Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado. comprised of over 250 Soldiers organized into a Headquarters and Maintenance Platoon, Fuel Platoon, Water Platoon, and SSA; charged with the duty to ensure the good order and discipline, safety, well-being, morale, training, and professional development of officers, NCOs, and Soldiers within the formation and their Families while adhering to the Army's Values and ethics while maintaining a healthy command climate. CPT Ospina was responsible for the direct and general logistical support of 4ID and tenant units on Fort Carson; plans, resources, and synchronization training of assigned platoons to ensure readiness, lethality, and proficiencies for employment against assigned missions and/or needs of the Army.
His combat and operational service includes one deployment to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
CPT Ospina joined the Greyhound Battalion at Loyola University Maryland in May 2024 as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. He instructs the Military Science and Leadership 100-level curriculum, and oversees the development and execution of all operation, budget and logistical operations within the battalion.
CPT Ospina is a dual military service member married to CPT Vanezza Ospina (AG), who currently is an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) at Johns Hopkins University Army ROTC program in Maryland. They both have a Belgium melanosis mix canine named Princess.
Awards and Decorations:
CPT Ospina’s awards and decorations include the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award).
CPT John Smith has served the US Army as an Infantry officer for over 11 Years. He Commissioned on May 11, 2013, from West Virginia State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He achieved active-duty status June 4, 2013, then was assigned to B Co, 2-11 Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course in Fort Benning, GA where he graduated in February 2014.
Upon graduation of IBOLC February 2014, he was assigned to 1-36 IN, SBCT in Fort Bliss, TX where he held the positions of Platoon Leader, Assistant Operations Officer, Battalion Adjutant, Distribution Platoon Leader, and Forward Support Company Executive Officer.
As an Infantry Platoon Leader for 11 months, he fought numerous training missions then traveled to NTC in May 2015. He supported the unit during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2017. He served as a Guest OC/T at NTC in 2016 and again at JRTC in 2018.
During his fourth year in Fort Bliss, he PCS'd to Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to MCOE as a student at the Maneuver Captains Career Course.
In September 2019, he was assigned to the UNC Security Force Battalion, 210 FIRES BDE, Panmunjom, South Korea, where he assumed duties as the Military Armistice Commission Headquarter s Area TOC OIC for 1 year. During this time his efforts were fundamental in the success of strategic operation along the South Korean Boarder.
In October 2020 he was selected to join the 11ACR Blackhorse team as the Regimental Plans OIC for 13 months, then served as an assistant Operations Officer to First Squadron, 11th ACR for 6 months. In 2022 he transitioned to serving as a Mechanized Infantry Troop Commander assigned to B TRP 1/11th ACR. He commanded Blackjack Troop for 1 year before transitioning to command the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (PALEHORSE) assigned to the Regimental Support Squadron. His leadership was essential in the training of 48 Brigade Combat Teams and over 200,000 Soldiers at the National Training Center.
CPT Smith joined the Greyhound Battalion at Loyola University Maryland in August 2024 as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. He instructs the Military Science and Leadership 300-level curriculum and oversees the development and execution of all cadet operations, Training Calendar management, and Training/ ammo operations within the battalion.
CPT Smith’s awards and decorations include the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge
Assignment History:
Master Sergeant (MSG) Gene Zhang is the enlisted in the United States Army in July 2008 and graduated One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning Georgia as an 11B Infantryman. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville.
MSG Zhang has served in various Airborne, Light, and Mechanized positions as an Infantryman, to include SAW Gunner, Gunner, Team Leader, Bradley Gunner, Bradley Commander, Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Senior Sniper, Sniper Section Leader, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Military Science Instructor, and Senior Military Science Instructor. MSG Zhang has multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Spartan Shield, and Operation Faithful Patriot.
MSG Zhang’s military education includes the United States Army Sniper Course, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course, Pathfinder School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Drill Sergeant School, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Combatives Level 2 Instructor, Rappel Master Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, Master Leader Course, and Master Educator Course.
Awards and Decorations:
SFC Zhang’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (7th Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.