1SG Baranovic was my friend. I know he made it to SM, but he was my 1SG. I met him when he came down when we were training. I was sitting on top of a 6 foot woodchip pile smoking a cigarette.  He yells "you probably shouldn't be smoking on woodchips" . Me, being stubborn, say "I'm ok". This man, with his well known smile, in full battle gear, grabs me by the boots, and drags me down. There i lay, with my smoke and smile on  my face and say "we're gonna get along great".  We spent a lot of time together. He was my friend and i miss him dearly. Until Valhalla Top

Going back decades, I knew there was a similar person to myself from the moment I met Nick. Through grade school, high school, and even into college, I could always turn to him for friendship and guidance. While life took us in different directions, I always looked forward to the next time we'd talk. I'll never forget his comforting and strong words and presence when I lost my brother, and him being in my life made me a better person, and I will miss him dearly.

My thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones. 

For 'Merica!!!!  One of my favorites!!!!
We REALLY miss you buddy... 

Kris, 

I read about your brothers passing in the local newspaper and I am so sorry.  He sounds like a very accomplished man.  

I always enjoyed your sense of humor in our professional staff council meetings.   You are def a bright spot on campus. 

In sympathy,
Lisa Howe

We will miss you and always be in our thoughts my brother. May GOD blessed your beautiful family and GOD gave them the strength to endure your early departure. For the family please received a warm hug from the CD colleagues here in Puerto Rico. We will see you again SGM. 

SFC Rivera

On behalf of the men and women of the California Army National Guard and 223rd MI BN (L), I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Nick’s family on this tragic loss for us all.

Nick gave his life in patriotic service to the nation he loved. We are so proud of his accomplishments, not only through his service but also through his character. 

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you in these difficult times. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you. Nick’s friendship, mentorship, and camaraderie will never be forgotten. 

Our deepest sympathies,  
Marco 

SGM Nick Baranovic was true professional and excellent friend/brother in arms. You will truly be missed on all fronts. I will cherish those memories of chatting through instructional materials, your change the world rants, your combat rolls to start a course, and Sergeant Major Academy assignments.

On behalf of NY Counterdrug extended Family our deepest sympathies to the family, may Nick rest in peace and god bless.

-MSG Cesar Villalobos
NYCD 

I am deeply saddened at the loss of my dear friend Nick and would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Nick’s family and many friends.

Nick and I served together in California on the Counterdrug TF (CDTF) and in the 223rd.  With the CDTF, I was the senior enlisted analyst (2B) for a time and Nick was that awesome NCO that really understood our mission.  He was such an intelligent senior NCO, but what made him so good was his passion, imagination and ability to see a way to do things better and make things better.  Nick was simply a remarkable person!  I loved our work interactions and discussions, but best of all our friendship.   

As the old guy I had to retire, and Nick moved out east to bigger things.  He and I would often talk and as the “older experienced” guy he sought to bounce ideas off me.  The reality was the Nick had advanced well beyond my experience and education. I was truly humbled that he still valued my opinions.  

Nick epitomized what a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer should be.  He absolutely cared about every Soldier.  He put everyone ahead of himself.  The NCO Creed meant something to Nick.  He was an example for us all to follow, whether service member or civilian.  I was immensely proud to see my friend virtually promote to Sergeant Major.  It was great to see Nick excel in his career and his education.  

As I would tell Nick (and others), he had no equals in our profession.  He had advanced beyond us all, but that did not matter to Nick, he was a true friend and never forgot about me. I will miss you Nick.  May you rest in peace my friend.

1SG (Retired) Mark Borgmeier

SGM Baranovic was a fiery leader who cared deeply about each of the soldiers in his charge. I had many conversations with Nick during the three years we worked together.  I found him to be compassionate and stern when it came to take caring of soldiers and airmen. I share your sadness and grief, but I smile at the memory of this great son, father, brother, and soldier. May he rest in peace. 

CMSgt (Ret) David Bowman

Served with Nick in Cali, and the more I got to know him, the more he impressed me... with his woodworking, cooking, gardening. He was a good guy, and a dedicated leader. Rest in peace, Nick.

SGM B was a true professional.  He was incredibly intelligent, witty, honest, and trustworthy. 

When then MSG Baranovic came to our unit, he took a proactive approach to leading, developing, and enabling soldiers. He immediately set out to connect with soldiers, asking earnest questions to understand them and identify areas for improvement.

SGM B's presence was vibrant and comforting to all in the room. He genuinely cared about everyone around him. On deployment, SGM continued his deliberate and proactive leadership approach. He called us his family, checked in on us, and never ceased to put everyone before himself.  SGM was a textbook example of selfless service and professionalism. I feel truly blessed to have known and served with him. 

There is not any member of the 35th ID that had a greater impact on its members, especially for B Co. 

He never let anything be more import than taking care of soldiers, often at his own expense. Staying up late, going back to the office, always taking time to talk with and follow back up with soldiers. He always did it with a smile and a positive attitude. 

His dedication to the troops was beyond par in the military or civilian world and something I admire and want to strive for. 

He will be missed by all but spoken of often as a shining example of what a leader, Senior NCO, soldier, and friend should be. 

Thank you for all that you taught me and for all those you have and will help. 

Caleb Logsdon

Nick and I got our positions in 35th ID at the same time and became fast friends. We also attended the SGM academy together. He helped me through the academy more times than I could count. Every time I got frustrated and wanted to throw in the towel he was there to push me forward.  Miss you brother. Lost an amazing friend and partner in crime.  I’ll see you on the other side.

I remember first meeting SGM Baranovic during our ramp-up for our warfighter exercise in 2021. He had such enthusiasm and wanted to introduce me to everyone in his section and show me ever system they were operating. He carried this enthusiasm into the deployment. Watching him navigate the path of a new Sergeant Major was great to experience. He cared for the Soldiers within the division and gave his all to make sure they were being taken care of while also performing at high levels. SGM Baranovic will be missed by the Soldiers of the 35th Infantry Division.

I was always so proud to call you my son. I love you forever 

I met Nick at Camp Crowder as the 35th ID prepared for deployment in Jan of 2022.  We quickly became friends. I enjoyed giving him a hard time about being a rookie SGM and he gave it right back. In Kuwait, we spent a lot of time in the evenings at the smoke shack. He was carving chess pieces, I was smoking cigars. We had some great, deep conversations. He was very proud of his daughter. He took care of his Soldiers. Everything he did was with the perspective of taking care of Soldiers. He was very excited about his opportunities post deployment.  I will miss picking on him at Yellow Ribbon. Godspeed Nick. See you on the other side. 

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. All of the family are in our thoughts and prayers .

As proud as you were to be our 1SG, we were proud you were our 1SG. No one shaped my military career more than you did. I was blessed to have known you and learned from you. I remember your face when I saw you with your SGM rank: proud and happy! I couldn’t be more proud of you! I wish I could be sitting with you at another 116th Muster telling you about my deployment. Even though I won’t have that, I hope I am half the leader you were. I hope you can finally rest, top. 

I am deeply saddened by Nick’s death. My thoughts and prayers for his family. I had the honor to work with Nick for only a few months, but his humility, integrity, hardworking, uplifting humor, and so on will be everlasting. Rest In Peace, Dear Friend.

You were such a great person and will be sorely missed by me.  I met you about a year or so before our deployment together when you first came to the 35th ID. I immediately liked your personality and your professionalism. You were so eager to jump into your role. On deployment I saw you almost every day and if I didn’t you were out taking care of your troops and making your rounds to those far away. You met me every time with a high five and sometimes awesome hugs. You were part of the SGM trio and were always near my desk getting your buddies for coffee time so you three could chew the fat and vent. We had so many good conversations in the smoke shack outback talking about anything and everything. You will be so missed my friend and my heart breaks that you are gone. Rest easy and we’ll take it from here. 

SFC Penelope Hudgins. 

I met SGM Baranovic at an annual training in Indiana 2021. I was very new to the unit at the time and I, along with several other people would chill on the second floor balcony in the evenings. Sometimes he would come up there to talk to us like we were friends and he would make sure we were all in a good place mentally. SGM Baranovic was always easy to talk to and very down to Earth, especially when talking to his lower enlisted soldiers, which is always a breathe of fresh air for us. There were many times in Kuwait that I had the pleasure of conversing with him, sometimes at the DFAC and sometimes over the chess board. Either way, SGM Baranovic was always an easy going guy that cared a lot. He will be missed by the entire unit and beyond. Rest easy man. 

-SPC Blake Wooden

OBITUARY

Nicholas Alexander Baranovic

November 8, 1984 – December 11, 2022

Hoffmeister South County Chapel

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