| Steven 'Randy' Watt | |
|---|---|
Watt speaking at the FBI National Academy |
|
| Service/branch | Utah Army National Guard |
| Rank | COL |
| Unit | 19th Special Forces Group |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Ayub Kheyl |
| Awards | Four bronze stars (one with Valor device), a Meritorious Service Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge[1] |
Steven 'Randy' Watt is a Colonel in the Utah National Guard. As of June 2011 Watt is the Commanding Officer of the 19th Special Forces Group.[2][3]
As a Major, Watt arrived in Afghanistan in December 2001,[1] and led the Special Forces assault team that attacked the compound in Ayub Kheyl where Omar Khadr was captured on July 27, 2002. The team consisted of Watt, XO Captain Mike Silver, Sgt Christopher Speer, Layne Morris and Master Sgt. Scotty Hansen, both from the 19th Special Forces Group and two others.[4] Watt was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.[5]
A native of Ogden, Utah, Watt is a graduate of Weber State University and University of Phoenix.[6] serves as Assistant Police Chief in the city.[7]
Watt was stationed in Afghanistan until December 2002.[1][8]
In 2004, he was quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune as stating ""We're arrogant. We think everyone knows what democracy is and wants it... but you can't change something in six months that took 6,000 years to create. If we don't help the transitional government get the warlords out of power and give democracy time to sprout, the country will revert back to anarchy."[9]
He was also profiled in the ABC special, "Profiles from the Front Line" in 2003, as well as the July/August 2004 edition of Men's Health magazine.[6][10]
In December 2005, he was in Brazil for a three-day National Tactical Officers Association training course for Brazilian special forces, in preparation for the 2007 Pan American Games.[11]
Watt was deployed to Iraq, training Sadr City police,[6] from July 2006 until June 2007, and helped his interpreter Falah Al-Baldawi move his family to the United States.[1][7]
In February 2008, Lt. Col. Watt was interviewed after testifying at the trial of Anthony Calderone a soldier who falsified his military awards. Watt said that nothing could "recover the lost honor for the U.S. Army" following Calderone's actions.[1][2]
Watt was awarded his fourth Bronze Star while serving with Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command in Iraq. The head of the command, Brig. Gen. Darsie D. Rogers, presented the award to Watt at Camp Liberty in Baghdad on April 2, 2011.[12] Without the "V" device for valor, the award is commonly given as an end of tour award to staff officers.
Colonel Watt is on a very short list of candidates for promotion to Brigadier General and command of the Army component of the Utah National Guard.