After nearly 29 years of service to his state and nation, Sgt. 1st Class Mark Haberland celebrated his retirement from the Illinois Army National Guard on Sept. 27 at Heartland Community College in Normal.
Haberland enlisted in 1997, beginning his career as an Infantryman. The decision he made while still in high school would become nearly three decades of service, including assignments with multiple Illinois Army National Guard units, deployments to Kuwait and Iraq, missions in Africa, and international training in Canada.
“I was 17, and I wanted to shoot things,” Haberland said during his retirement ceremony. “Everybody knew all the bad-asses were 11 Bravos.”
His decision to serve would ultimately become a career defined by the Soldiers he served alongside and mentored. “When I look back, it isn't the places or the jobs I think about first,” Haberland said. “It's the people.”
His experiences, particularly his deployment to Iraq, reinforced the importance of those serving beside him. “The guy next to you has your back, and you have his,” he said. “That's a brotherhood. That's the Army.”
Haberland carried that philosophy into his leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of knowing and taking care of Soldiers.
“Know your people, train them, hold them accountable, fight for them, own your mistakes, keep your word, and remember, there's a person behind every name on that roster,” he said.
His nearly three decades of service were also a family commitment. Haberland credited his wife, Brandi, and their sons, Ethan and Beau, for supporting him through the demands of military life.
In his retirement, Haberland said he is looking forward to being home, spending more time with his family, traveling, and enjoying the next chapter of his life.
“I’m ready to be there for my boys,” he said. “I’m ready to be the husband without always wondering what the Army needs next.”
Haberland was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service culminating in more than 28 years of faithful and honorable military service to the Illinois Army National Guard and the U.S. Army.
“I knew I wanted to be a Soldier,” Haberland said. “After everything, I'm damn proud to be one.”
Haberland leaves the Illinois Army National Guard with a legacy shaped by the Soldiers he mentored, the leaders who influenced him, and the family who supported him throughout his service.

Date Taken:	09.30.2026
Date Posted:	09.30.2026 13:32
Story ID:	576015
Location:	NORMAL, ILLINOIS, US
Hometown:	NORMAL, ILLINOIS, US

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