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Capozzella assumes command of National Guard
  
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By Pat Hill
From delivering medical care to people in Central America to protecting the public at the Democratic National Convention in August, Dana Capozzella, of Woodland Park, embraces the adventures while serving her country.
In a change-of-command ceremony Oct. 17 in Denver, Col. Capozzella, 44, became the first woman to lead the Colorado Army National Guard, succeeding Brig. Gen. Thomas Mills.
As the new commander, Capozzella leads 3,726 troops, whose duties include preparing units deployed and redeployed for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Part of that is taking care of the families, preparing them for what lies ahead,” she said.
For returning soldiers, the Guard participates in the state-sponsored Yellow Ribbon program that includes weekends in the mountains or classes for soldiers and their spouses during the adjustment period.
“When spouses are left behind, they’ve been doing it all, and now they’ve got to get back to sharing,” she said.
Cappozzella joined the Army 22 years ago after completing a Reserve Officer Training Corps program at St. Lawrence University, where she earned a degree in psychology.
“I could have retired but there are just things to do,” she said. “There is always the ability to make things better. That’s why I stayed.”
Capozzella worked her way up the ranks in the Guard, from company and battalion to brigade commander, an appointment by her predecessor Mills.
“He is a wonderful man. By selecting me as the brigade commander he gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience, because my brigade was pretty much two-thirds of the Colorado National Guard,” she said. “It’s the largest brigade in the Colorado Army.”
As brigade commander, Capozzella led a team of military units, including Special Forces, at the convention in August.
“It was so exciting,” she said.
In 2002, Capozzella’s brigade unit traveled to Honduras and Nicaragua to deliver medical, dental and optometry care.
“The most wonderful thing was to give glasses to people who had never been able to see properly before,” she said. “They were so happy. The Lions clubs donated all the glasses.”
On her list of things to do is spreading information about the Guard.
“I want to educate our community, our employers, about the difference between the National Guard and Army Reserve,” she said. “Members of the National Guard are your friends, family and neighbors, that’s who we are,” she said. “We’re the ones who come out there when there’s a winter storm, who save you on the highway, who went to Alamosa when their water was contaminated. We’re always helping stranded hikers, saving them. We helped out with ‘Balloon Boy,’” she said.
Also, the Guard’s aviation assets are called out to drop feed to cattle stranded during snowstorms or offer help during fires, such as the Hayman.
“The National Guard units are the soldiers you see when there’s a state emergency,” she said. “We truly are part of the community, and we want more people to be with us!”
Looming over every recruit is the thought of war.
“The young people who join today know that it’s not ‘if they’re going to go to Iraq or Afghanistan, it’s ‘when.’ They’re very patriotic,” she said. “My 18-year-old son, Nate Utter, just joined and is in basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. Nate graduated last year from Woodland Park High School.”
The Guard answers to both federal and state authorities to fulfill assignments from President Obama and Gov. Bill Ritter, respectively.
Despite the possibilities hanging over a traditional soldier of the National Guard, Capozzella remains committed.
“I think it’s the right thing to do, I really do,” she said. “For all military personnel it’s very trying, very hard, with a lot of stress on families, friends and employers. It’s difficult to make that decision at this time.”
Capozzella is a partner, compliance officer and office manager for Cascade Investment Group in Colorado Springs.
“I would not be able to do what I am today without my family, my friends and my wonderful employers,” she said. “They’ve supported me all along when I had to do training, attend meetings. They understand what a huge commitment the Guard is.”
Capozzella and her husband, Rob Utter have three children who attend schools in Woodland Park, Lauren, 13, Alex, 15, and her niece, Regan Capozzella, 17.
In a change-of-command ceremony Oct. 17 in Denver, Col. Capozzella, 44, became the first woman to lead the Colorado Army National Guard, succeeding Brig. Gen. Thomas Mills.
As the new commander, Capozzella leads 3,726 troops, whose duties include preparing units deployed and redeployed for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Part of that is taking care of the families, preparing them for what lies ahead,” she said.
For returning soldiers, the Guard participates in the state-sponsored Yellow Ribbon program that includes weekends in the mountains or classes for soldiers and their spouses during the adjustment period.
“When spouses are left behind, they’ve been doing it all, and now they’ve got to get back to sharing,” she said.
Cappozzella joined the Army 22 years ago after completing a Reserve Officer Training Corps program at St. Lawrence University, where she earned a degree in psychology.
“I could have retired but there are just things to do,” she said. “There is always the ability to make things better. That’s why I stayed.”
Capozzella worked her way up the ranks in the Guard, from company and battalion to brigade commander, an appointment by her predecessor Mills.
“He is a wonderful man. By selecting me as the brigade commander he gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience, because my brigade was pretty much two-thirds of the Colorado National Guard,” she said. “It’s the largest brigade in the Colorado Army.”
As brigade commander, Capozzella led a team of military units, including Special Forces, at the convention in August.
“It was so exciting,” she said.
In 2002, Capozzella’s brigade unit traveled to Honduras and Nicaragua to deliver medical, dental and optometry care.
“The most wonderful thing was to give glasses to people who had never been able to see properly before,” she said. “They were so happy. The Lions clubs donated all the glasses.”
On her list of things to do is spreading information about the Guard.
“I want to educate our community, our employers, about the difference between the National Guard and Army Reserve,” she said. “Members of the National Guard are your friends, family and neighbors, that’s who we are,” she said. “We’re the ones who come out there when there’s a winter storm, who save you on the highway, who went to Alamosa when their water was contaminated. We’re always helping stranded hikers, saving them. We helped out with ‘Balloon Boy,’” she said.
Also, the Guard’s aviation assets are called out to drop feed to cattle stranded during snowstorms or offer help during fires, such as the Hayman.
“The National Guard units are the soldiers you see when there’s a state emergency,” she said. “We truly are part of the community, and we want more people to be with us!”
Looming over every recruit is the thought of war.
“The young people who join today know that it’s not ‘if they’re going to go to Iraq or Afghanistan, it’s ‘when.’ They’re very patriotic,” she said. “My 18-year-old son, Nate Utter, just joined and is in basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. Nate graduated last year from Woodland Park High School.”
The Guard answers to both federal and state authorities to fulfill assignments from President Obama and Gov. Bill Ritter, respectively.
Despite the possibilities hanging over a traditional soldier of the National Guard, Capozzella remains committed.
“I think it’s the right thing to do, I really do,” she said. “For all military personnel it’s very trying, very hard, with a lot of stress on families, friends and employers. It’s difficult to make that decision at this time.”
Capozzella is a partner, compliance officer and office manager for Cascade Investment Group in Colorado Springs.
“I would not be able to do what I am today without my family, my friends and my wonderful employers,” she said. “They’ve supported me all along when I had to do training, attend meetings. They understand what a huge commitment the Guard is.”
Capozzella and her husband, Rob Utter have three children who attend schools in Woodland Park, Lauren, 13, Alex, 15, and her niece, Regan Capozzella, 17.
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