Former Strike NCO selected as First Captain at West Point

FORT CAMPBELL, UNITED STATES

08.24.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — During the initial invasion into Iraq, Tyler Gordy was patrolling the streets of Mosul with Soldiers from the Company C, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment.

While deployed, Gordy served as a scout sniper, received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device for his actions during combat operations.

Today, however, he's at the United States Military Academy at West Point, but not just as a cadet, he now serves as the First Captain.

As First Captain, Gordy is responsible for the overall performance of approximately 4,400 cadets. He is responsible for implementing the class agenda and acts as a liaison between the cadets and the administration.

Ultimately, Gordy is the highest ranking cadet at West Point, standing at the pinnacle of the chain of command.

Gordy, however, believes his success' today come from his time in the 2nd "Strike" Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Gordy, who hails from New Castle, Calif., spent nearly three years as a member of Strike.

"It was just a tremendous opportunity to be apart of the Strike family," said Gordy. "Strike Brigade is home to me."

Throughout his time with the brigade, Gordy believes the most important thing he took away and implemented into his leadership as a cadet was how to treat people.

"I learned that you have to treat your subordinates as men first and as subordinates second," said Gordy. "Treat [Soldiers] with dignity and respect was the biggest thing I took away from my time there."

While a member of the Strike team, Gordy noticed quickly the unit's commitment to excellence and the winning spirit instilled in every Soldier.

These small, but vital things, helped him excel at every level at West Point.

"I did very tough training in the unit. We trained hard and nothing but your best effort was acceptable," said Gordy. "I learned that as a young Soldier and I've carried that on throughout my time at the academy."

Maybe the most important item Gordy brought to West Point, especially in today's Army, is his experience in combat.

"I learned in combat to trust leadership. That was a big thing I learned — think dynamically and creatively," said Gordy. "Not only trust leadership, but trust subordinates. In my leadership style I try to trust my subordinates and hold them accountable for their actions."

His combat experience, knowledge gained through training and leading Soldiers as a non-commissioned officer has led him to a position of excellence — one held by very historic figures in US history, such as John J. Pershing and Douglas MacArthur.

Gordy, who is very humbled and honored to serve as the First Captain, said, "I'm just happy to be able to serve the corps and try to make lives better while I'm doing it."

When he earns his commission and pins on the rank of second lieutenant, Gordy hopes to take what he learned as an infantryman with the Strike Brigade and all his knowledge gained during his four years at West Point and instill that into his platoon "like common sense thinking, treating people with dignity and respect, and demanding excellence at all times."

Gordy, who nearly didn't get accepted into West Point, believes none of this would have happened without support from the Strike Brigade.

"I couldn't have done this without them," he said in reference to the leaders in Strike Brigade who helped him get to where he is today.

One of those individuals in particular, Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder, was very influential and helpful in guiding Gordy to where he is today.

Schroeder, the brigade's command sergeant major, said Gordy is and was always a good Soldier who was motivated and focused on setting and meeting goals. He also believes Gordy brings a lot of knowledge and experience to West Point and it's obviously paid off.

Gordy, who earned the ARCOM with Valor after taking charge of his squad when his squad leader was wounded during a firefight in Mosul, has a perspective of what it means to be a Soldier, said Schroeder.

"He has credibility; he's already proven himself in combat," said Schroeder. "He can give the other cadets a perspective of NCOs. He was an NCO and is now the number one cadet based on academics, athletics and leadership. They'll say 'hey that guy was an NCO. That guy was a Soldier just like the Soldiers that I will lead.'"

Gordy, who is currently in his senior year at West Point, will take his experiences and gained knowledge to a platoon and hope to provide the same leadership to his men just as those leaders from Strike provided him.