By Mr. Zachary Zimerman, Illinois Army National Guard
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — After four decades of service that began as an enlisted Infantry Soldier and culminated with his service as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois, Col. Brian S. Creech retired from the Illinois Army National Guard during a ceremony Sept. 18 at the Illinois Military Academy at Camp Lincoln.
“I gave the Army everything I had, and it gave me back more than I expected,” Creech said.
“He understood the tactical realities of supporting Soldiers in the field and the strategic responsibilities of managing resources,” said Brig. Gen. Ronnie Barnes, National Guard Bureau Comptroller. Brig. Gen. Barnes presided over the ceremony, which brought together family, friends, fellow service members, Illinois National Guard leaders, and multiple United States Property and Fiscal Officers from other states to recognize Creech’s 40 years of military service.
The United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) is a federally appointed officer who serves as the single Title 10 National Guard officer through which all federal resources flow to a state or territory’s National Guard.
Barnes said that those in the USPFO community could always call Creech when they had a difficult problem. “His responses would always be thoughtful, honest, and grounded in experience,” Barnes said. “And they would always be straightforward.”
Creech thanked several leaders who mentored and developed him, and all the subordinates who accomplished so much under his direction, but he especially thanked his family.
“Every time the Army asked something of me, it asked something of you too,” he told his spouse, Stephanie.
Creech began his military career in August 1986 as an enlisted Soldier with Company A, 1st Battalion, 123rd Infantry Regiment. During his enlisted service, he served as a rifleman and squad leader before receiving his commission as an Infantry second lieutenant in September 1996.
His career included assignments in Infantry, Logistics, Financial Management, Human Resources and command positions throughout the Illinois National Guard.
Creech served as a platoon leader and commander with the 3637th Maintenance Company and later held staff positions with the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq with the 232nd CSSB in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Just prior to being activated for Iraq, he “confidently” told his pregnant spouse, Stephanie, that “the National Guard never deploys.” He returned from Iraq on their son Bryson’s first birthday. “I learned never to make a promise on behalf of the U.S. Army,” he said.
Following his deployment, Creech transferred to Joint Force Headquarters, Illinois, where he served as a logistics plans officer, budget officer, commander and financial manager. In May 2010, he began a Title 10 assignment with the National Guard Bureau as a program analyst for the Army National Guard Recruiting Division.
While working as a program analyst for the Army National Guard Recruiting Division he provided professional, and characteristically straightforward ethical advice on several highly scrutinized programs including marketing contracts with NASCAR and World Wrestling Entertainment and the Guard Recruitment Assistance Program.
He returned to Illinois in October 2010 and assumed duties as the USPFO supervisory logistics management specialist. From October 2013 through October 2016, he commanded the 405th Brigade Support Battalion.
Creech subsequently returned to Joint Force Headquarters, where he served as the Human Resources Officer and deputy USPFO before assuming the position of USPFO for Illinois in September 2021.
As USPFO, Creech oversaw critical personnel, financial and logistical functions supporting the Illinois National Guard. His service in the position included supporting multiple training and domestic operations while contributing to readiness across the organization.
During the retirement ceremony, Creech was presented with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service as the USPFO for Illinois. The award recognized his leadership and technical expertise and his contributions to personnel, finance and logistics readiness.
Creech was also presented with his retirement certificate. His wife, Stephanie, received a spouse’s certificate recognizing her support and dedication throughout his military career.
A commitment to professional development accompanied Creech’s military service. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois Springfield and graduated from the United States Army War College in 2018 with a master’s degree in strategic studies.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Badge and Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, along with additional federal and state awards.
Throughout the ceremony, Creech’s family was recognized as an integral part of his military journey. He and Stephanie have been married for more than 24 years and have four sons, Zach, Ethan, Dylan and Bryson. The family resides in Petersburg.
The ceremony concluded with the reading of Creech’s retirement orders, formally recognizing his separation from the Army National Guard and placement on the retired list effective Sept. 30.
Creech’s retirement marks the conclusion of a career spanning enlisted and commissioned service, combat deployment, command assignments and senior leadership positions at the state and national levels.
After 40 years in uniform, Creech leaves the Illinois National Guard having served across multiple generations of Soldiers and through some of the organization’s most significant missions at home and abroad.
