INSTRUCTORS

senior army instructor

MAJOR (RET.) JOHN R BRAUN JR.

Major (Retired) John R. Braun Jr. resides in Hopkinsville Kentucky. He is a graduate of Webster University and holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Business and Organizational Security Management. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in History from Austin Peay State University.

MAJ Braun served 22 years on active duty in the U. S. Army as both an officer and an enlisted soldier. He served his first 10 years as an Infantrymen with service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As an officer, he held multiple command and staff positions. He is a graduate of the Military Police Captains Career Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School and the Military Police Officer Basic Course. Additionally, he has attended and completed Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jungle Warfare School, the Domestic Violence Intervention Course, the Anti-Terrorism Program Manager Course and the U. S. Army Recruiter Course.

He has deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and during his last deployment served as a military advisor for two Iraqi National Police Battalions during operations in Baqhdad, Sadr City, and Diyala. His awards include the Bronze Star (M), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Gold Recruiter Badge, the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge and the Order of Saint Maurice – Legionnaire.

MAJ Braun lives with his wife Michele on their family farm in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. His hobbies include scuba diving, snorkeling, reading, RV’ing, cruising, home improvement and online gaming.

army Instructor

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (RET.) Justin a. Conner

CSM Conner’s military education includes: Airborne School; Air Assault School; Pathfinder School; Jumpmaster School; Ranger School; Sniper Sustainment Course; Total Army Instructors Course; Warrior Leaders Course; Advances Leaders Course; Senior Leaders Course; Master Resilience Training Course; United States Army Sergeants Major Course Class 65. His civilian education includes an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts, and a Project Management Professional certificate from Syracuse University.

CSM Conner’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V device and two oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal 7th award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Professional Development Ribbon numeral 4, National Defense Service Medal, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, German Marksmanship Badge (Silver), German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), Chilean Jump Wings, Ecuadorian Jump Wings, and recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice. CSM Conner was selected as the Fort Benning and Infantry Center NCO of the year in 2004, and was a “Top Ten” finisher of the 2005 David E. Grange Best Ranger Competition. CSM Conner was inducted as a distinguished member of the 502nd and 327th Infantry Regiments.

CSM (R) Conner is married to the former Allison Ward and has two daughters and a son, Peyton, Alana, and Drew.

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Justin A. Conner is a native of Evansville, Indiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1996 and retired in December 2019 after 23 years of honorable service.

CSM Conner served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), and 6th Ranger Training Battalion.

CSM Conner has deployed to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain during Operation Desert Focus, Kosovo in support of United Nations, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, and twice to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (08-09, 10-11).