Braught assumes command of RTI

SANTA FE, N.M. – Col. Christopher Holland relinquished command of the 515th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) to Col. Donald Braught here this afternoon.

Brig. Gen. Mark Miera, the New Mexico National Guard’s Land Component Commander, presided over the change of command ceremony.

“It’s been a great last few years,” Miera said of Holland’s command. “The TRADOC (U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command) accreditation was a huge muscle movement.”

Miera noted that the RTI scored 99.6% on that accreditation. He also pointed out that the RTI quickly switched from in-person to virtual training when the pandemic began and switched back to

in-person training once the situation allowed.

“Col. Holland, you’ve done a wonderful job,” Miera said. “Col. Braught, this job puts you in the limelight.”

“Over the past 30 months, this institute has graduated 1,500 Soldiers trained to be NCOs (noncommissioned officers), 250 truck drivers, and commissioned about a dozen lieutenants,” Holland said.

Gesturing to the RTI staff, Holland said, “I’m not taking credit. I’m giving credit where credit is due. If I can take credit for anything it’s that I exercised mission command, which is trusting subordinates.”

Holland said of Braught, “There’s not a more capable or honest leader.”

This is Braught’s second assignment at the RTI, having previously served as the administrative officer.

“I’m excited to be back,” Braught said, adding that he hopes his zeal as the administrative officer is indicative of “the energy I’ll bring to this command.”

After the outgoing and incoming commanders exchanged the regimental colors, Miera presented Holland with the Meritorious Service Medal and his LCC challenge coin in recognition of a successful command.

Holland received his commission in 1982 through the ROTC program at Eastern New Mexico University. He spent the next nine years on active duty, serving in Alaska, Germany, and Fort Hood, Texas.

He held company command three times—Hotel Company, 227th Aviation, in Germany; Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation, in Las Cruces; and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation, in Santa Fe. Holland commanded 1st Battalion, 515th Regiment (RTI), from 2013 to 2015.

Holland is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism, having served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. His highest decorations include three Bronze Stars and the Air Medal.

Holland holds graduate degrees from the U.S. Army War College and the University of New Mexico School of Law. He is married to retired Lt. Col. Maureen Holland, and they have two adult children Flynn and Alana.

Braught was commissioned by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry Life Sciences and a minor in Computer Science. He originally qualified as an Air Defense Artillery officer and later as an Engineer officer and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.

In his numerous deployments, Braught has served in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and twice in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Braught has held company command twice (Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 200th Air Defense Artillery, and the 920th Engineer Company) and battalion command twice (717th Brigade Support Battalion and the 111th Special Troops Battalion).

Braught’s top decorations include the Bronze Star and four Meritorious Service Medals. He and his wife Vanessa live in Rio Rancho with their two children Reed and Dakota.