The son of a former South Dakota National Guard soldier who was seriously injured while fighting in Iraq 17 years ago has followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted.
Connor Briest, son of Sgt. Corey and Jenny Briest, of Yankton, was sworn in to the SDNG during an enlistment ceremony at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Sioux Falls, March 11, 2022.
Connor enlisted in the same occupation and unit his father was in as an artillery crewmember in the Yankton–based Bravo Battery (formerly Charlie Battery) of the 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion.
Corey was severely injured during an IED explosion that also claimed the lives of several SDNG soldiers while serving on a deployment to Iraq in 2005. Despite his injuries, Corey made a remarkable recovery.
Connor, who was just a year old when Corey was injured, grew up experiencing the challenges his father and family would face in the years to come. Despite a traumatic brain injury which left Corey with limited mobility, vision and speech, seeing his father’s resilience and call to service was a motivating factor for Connor to join the National Guard.
“I want to honor my dad for one,” Connor said of why he joined the SDNG. “I’ve always wanted to do it, since I was very young. I’m pretty excited to serve my country and follow my dad.”
“This is something he has always wanted, and we are proud to support him and the decision he is making,” said Jenny Briest. “As parents, we sat down and talked to him and wanted to make sure why he was joining, and he has very good reasons of doing it. Connor knows first hand of what the sacrifice is and what comes with the commitment that he is making, because this is all he has known since he was little. But Connor also sees the brotherhood of [the National Guard] and what this can do for his life.”
Connor, like Corey, joins the SDNG during his junior year of high school and will attend Basic Combat Training later this summer, followed by his Advanced Individual Training after graduation next year.
While Connor said he excited to begin his service, his future plans also include attending Mitchell Technical Institute to be an electrical power lineman following his military training.
Connor is not only following his dad into the SDNG, he is also following his family’s linage of military service.
“Both Corey’s and my grandpas served, Connor’s step-grandpa was in the same unit as Corey, and many of our uncles also served, so we have a pretty good family line of service,” said Jenny.
As Connor took his oath of enlistment, making the moment even more special was having his father there to witness his commitment to our state and nation. Although Corey’s speech is limited, Jenny says Corey thinks it’s pretty neat Connor is in the same unit with the same occupation as he had.
“Corey says he feels honored that he is joining, he’s pretty proud of him,” she said.
While Corey is proud of his son and his decision to serve, Connor feels the same about his father. “My dad is a hero of mine, and he made one of the greatest sacrifices possible for our nation,” Connor said.
Connor Briest stands with his father, Sgt. Corey
Briest, and mother, Jenny, as he joins the South Dakota Army National
Guard at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Sioux Falls, S.D.,
March 11, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo)
Connor Briest recites the Oath of Enlistment as
he joins the South Dakota Army National Guard, administered by an
officer with the Military Entrance Processing Station in Sioux Falls, S.D.,
March 11, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo)
Connor Briest stands with his recruiter, Sgt. 1st
Class Aaron Crisman, as he joins the South Dakota Army National Guard
at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Sioux Falls, S.D., March
11, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo)
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