Cadre

Mr. Thomas Brendlinger was born in Washington D.C. and graduated from Northeastern High School in York, Pa. He then enlisted in the Army in 1995. His assignments include Bravo Battery 2 nd Battalion 110 th FA, Charlie Battery 2nd Battalion 110th FA, Alpha Battery 2nd Battalion 110th FA. Mr. Brendlinger re-classed to the Chemical Corps in 2007. His first assignment after graduating was as a CBRN NCO with the 29th Military Police Company, his subsequent assignments include serving as a Squad Leader for the 231 st Chemical Company, CBRN Staff NCO for the 58 th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade/ Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, CBRN Staff NCO for the 29 th infantry Division, Company First Sergeant for the 231 st Chemical Company, and currently serving as an Assistant Operation NCO for the 58 th Troop Command.

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).

Assignment History:

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Gene Zhang 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 earned a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2017 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration. SFC Zhang currently serves as a Military Science Instructor at Loyola University Maryland.

SFC Zhang has served in various positions as an Infantryman, to include SAW Gunner, Gunner, Team Leader, Bradley Gunner, Bradley Commander, Squad Leader, Senior Sniper, Sniper Section Leader, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant. SFC Zhang has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009-2010) with Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield (2011-2012) with 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and Operation Faithful Patriot (2019) with 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). SFC Zhang has been assigned to various units at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Baltimore, Maryland.

SFC 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, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, and Senior Leader 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.