By Lauren Sims – Town of Mount Pleasant Community & Government Affairs Chief
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (December 13, 2021) – Councilman Howard R. Chapman, P.E., was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the South Carolina State Guard.
Chapman was inducted into the State Guard in 2013 by commanding Major General Richard Eckstrom, as the second professional engineer in the newly created Engineering Detachment. The Detachment was created by General Eckstrom to supplement the engineering needs of the National Guard during state-declared emergencies.
Councilman Chapman is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina and Florida and currently serves as the Liaison between the South Carolina State Guard Professional Services Command, Engineering Detachment and National Guard 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB).
Councilman Chapman is the recipient of the South Carolina State Guard Meritorious Service Award for his work as a member of the four-person Spartan 6 Team, as the only State Guard member while on active duty with the team and having over 730 hours of service during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to June 2020. Councilman Chapman is also the recipient of the 2017 Meritorious Service Medal from the National Guard for his service to the 218th MEB on Edisto Beach in response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Former Commander of the 218th MEB during Hurricane Florence, Col. Robin Stilwell, wrote of Major Chapman, on November 7, 2018, “I am writing to ensure each of you knows the valuable asset you have in Major Chapman. I do not know the process for promotions in the State Guard; however, I would recommend that Major Chapman be considered for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, as he has clearly demonstrated that he deserves advancement. I would ask, respectfully, that you favorably consider his advancement in the State Guard.”
Councilman Chapman is expected to continue his work as Liaison with the National Guard 218th MEB in his new rank as Lieutenant Colonel.