1,900 Vermont Guardsmen To Take Part In Major Training

COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont Army National Guard brigade is going to be taking part in a three-week training exercise in Louisiana.

Vermont's 86th Brigade Combat Team will be the only National Guard unit to take part in the exercise, to be held in June at the Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center in Leesville, La.

Brigade commander Col. John Boyd says it's an honor to be selected.

Boyd says the three-week training exercise means the Guard will be asking firms that employ Guard members to allow them an extra week away from work.

The 1,900 Vermont soldiers slated to go to Fort Polk make up nearly half of the Vermont Army Guard. They will be joined by smaller units from Michigan, Colorado and four New England states.