Illinois Army National Guard Promotes Macomb Native to Lieutenant Colonel

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Three sets of hands fastened the silver oak leaf to Maj. Phyllida “Phyl” Shoudel’s uniform Sept. 19 — her husband’s and her two daughters’ — as the Illinois Army National Guard promoted her to lieutenant colonel at the Illinois Military Academy Auditorium at Camp Lincoln. Col. Michael Barton, the Illinois Army National Guard state personnel officer (G-1), presided over the ceremony and said the room mattered as much as the rank. “Nothing gives me more joy as a leader than when you’re able to recognize one of your own and see someone advance,” Barton said. “And what makes it even more special is when you’re able to do it in front of family.” “No one earns a promotion alone,” Shoudel said, thanking the family, peers and mentors who supported her throughout her military career. During the ceremony, she dedicated a reading of the passage “The Measure of a Man” to honor the devotion, patience and character shown by those closest to her. “This promotion belongs to far more than the person wearing the rank,” she said. “It belongs to every mentor who invested in me … every soldier who trusted me and challenged me, and every friend who encouraged me along the way.” Shoudel, a resident of Macomb, serves as the G-1 operations officer for the Illinois Army National Guard. Her military career spans more than 18 years, beginning in 2008 when she joined the Illinois Army National Guard as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet with the Western Illinois University ROTC program. She received her commission as an Adjutant General Corps officer in 2010. Addressing her parents, Jim and Charlene, who attended the ceremony, Shoudel said, “Thank you for raising me in a home where service wasn’t just respected. It was encouraged.” To her husband, she added, “You didn’t just support my career, you made it possible to reach this goal.” Shoudel also spoke directly to her daughters, Charlie, 6, and Frankie, 4, who moments earlier had helped pin the silver oak leaf to her uniform. “Charlie and Frankie may not fully understand yet what this promotion means,” she said. “I hope one day you’ll understand what it’s really about — it’s about commitment, it’s about honor, it’s about serving something greater than yourself. Your dad has taught you both to enjoy the ride along the way, and even though it takes unexpected turns, I hope you know I carry you with me every day.” Barton said the promotion carries weight beyond the insignia. “To make it to the rank of O5 is really a big deal,” he said. “With more rank comes more responsibility. But you’re ready for that, and that’s why you got selected to this position.” Throughout her career, Shoudel has served in numerous command and staff leadership assignments, including battalion personnel officer, battalion logistics officer, headquarters company commander, battalion operations officer, and executive officer at both the battalion and brigade levels within the 44th Chemical Battalion and the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Her staff leadership also includes serving as battalion personnel officer for both the 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, branch chief in the G-35 Force Integration Readiness Office, training officer for the 44th Chemical Battalion, and 65th Troop Command brigade S-1. From 2016 to 2017, Shoudel deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. She served as the adjutant general for Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) 18, advising the Afghan National Police 303rd Zone and Afghan National Army 203rd Corps at Advising Platform Lightning on human resources, human rights, and gender integration initiatives. Her military education includes the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course, Chemical Captain’s Career Course, Chemical Defense Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course, and the Advanced Operations Course. Shoudel holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts in human resources management from Webster University. Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and combat “C” device, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Order of the Combat Spur, and Order of the Dragon, alongside numerous state and federal recognitions. Several senior military leaders and distinguished guests also attended the ceremony, including Col. Paul Metzdorff, chief of staff of the Illinois Army National Guard; Brig. Gen. (ret.) Mark Alessia; and Shoudel’s mother-in-law, Karen. Shoudel resides in Macomb with her husband, Troy, a local law enforcement officer, their two daughters, Charlie, and Frankie, and their pets.

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