Master Sergeant James Braet
Senior Military Instructor
MSG Braet
Senior Military Instructor
Master Sergeant Braet is a native of Moline, Illinois and joined the US Army as an Infantryman in August 1988.
After attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Benning, GA, MSG Braet reported to his first unit, the 197th Infantry Brigade as a Mortarman. Serving in multiple units at multiple duty stations, he advanced through each level of soldier responsibilities to include a tour at Camp Casey, Korea in 1990. Between 1990 and 1993, he fought on the US Army Boxing Team, winning the FORSCOM, All Army, and Inter-service Championships. In 1993, MSG Braet placed second in the US National Championships representing the US Army in the tournament. MSG Braet was assigned as 60mm Mortar Section Chief in the 2nd Battalion 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1996. He returned to Camp Casey, Korea in 1997 where he served as the Fire Direction Chief for the Mortar Platoon, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Air Assault). Returning to the United States in 1999, MSG Braet was assigned as Mortar Platoon Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Ft. Bragg, NC. In 2002, he reported to Ft. Benning, GA as an instructor at the Infantry Mortar Leader Course before reporting to Ft. Stewart, GA as the Mortar Platoon Sergeant, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment. He deployed to Iraq with his platoon in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06 where his platoon trained the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Army before establishing a mortar firing point at OP Thorn in the East Rashid district of Baghdad. After redeploying to Ft. Stewart, GA, MSG Braet assumed responsibility of Company A, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment as First Sergeant in 2006. He deployed with his company to Baghdad a second time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 and conducted security operations throughout the Rashid District. MSG Braet and his company redeployed to Ft. Stewart, GA in December 2008.
Master Sergeant Braet’s military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Development Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Development Course, Basic Parachutist School, Air Assault School, Pathfinder School, Jump Master School, Special Forces Assessment Selection Course, Jungle Operations Training Course, and the Infantry Mortar Leader Course.
Master Sergeant Braet’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), the Overseas Ribbon (4th Award), the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the German Parachutist Badge, the German Armed Forces Military Proficiency Badge and the German Schützenchnur.
Master Sergeant Braet is married to the former Andrea Jaklyn Coe and they have four children: Jessica, Madison, Jaiden, and Jimmy.