Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Fowler | Spc. Matthew P. Shirer, combat engineer, from Charlie Company, 458th Engineering...... read more read more
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by Spc. Jeremy Fowler
FORT IRWIN, Calif. – In Army basic training Soldiers are taught the acronym, LDRSHIP: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. For some, it loosely acts as a guide by which to measure their actions. For others, it is a way of life. Fueled by a desire to be the best that they can be, these leaders have the uncommon ability to draw out the best in others. Often this is done by serving as role models themselves. This is true leadership.
There is a remarkable change that takes place in a person that joins the military. The transformation from civilian to Soldier is a tough road for some. For others it is a transition they will never forget. Basic training can bring out the worst in some people while cultivating character in others. In Spc. Matthew P. Shirer's case this transformation revealed motivation, drive and leadership. "It was fun," said Shirer who claims he would do it all over again. It was, he says, a "change of lifestyle, really. For the better ... [I was] more motivated, more determined. I have longer, more extensive life goals that I want to accomplish."
In February 2005, Shirer enlisted in the Army with no desire to be a leader, but simply to serve his country, as his grandfathers and his uncle had. Shirer, from Pittsburgh, Pa., considered joining the Army in his senior year of high school, but after receiving an acceptance letter from college his desire to join faded. He decided instead to attend Triangle College in Pittsburgh, where he received an associate degree in mechanical design. After graduation he thought something was missing.
Working at a restaurant, Shirer needed a change, a break from routine. It came in the form of a follow-up phone call from a recruiter. He enlisted shortly thereafter as a combat engineer for Charlie Company, 458th Engineering Battalion, in New Kensington, Pa.
Returning to his unit after his initial entry training, he enjoyed attending battle assemblies and being a citizen-Soldier. Still, something seemed out of place. While attending his cousin's wedding he began to understand: "About four months after I got back from basic, I went to my cousins wedding and he is a ... 1st Lieutenant and we were both in our class A's ... it just felt weird saluting my own cousin." He started to realize that maybe it was leadership he sought.
"I think I've always been a natural leader. I try to set an example ... I've just always strived to be the best I can be," says Shirer, "I know it sounds kind of cliché." Cliché or not, many of the leaders in his unit agree that he does possess the ability to be a leader. "I think he will be well suited to be a leader," said 1st Lt. Orlando L. Robles, Shirer's platoon leader.
Shirer attended his first annual training (AT) in El Salvador with the 458th in 2006 in support of Operation New Horizons, a humanitarian effort to help impoverished communities in Central America. There Shirer worked hard, volunteered often and went out of his way to get things done.
He began to comprehend the leadership role while doing touchup work on medical clinics, water towers and schools while in El Salvador. He found his time there very rewarding, and when was not working, he enjoyed playing baseball with local children.
"It was a lot of fun," said Shirer, "I busted my butt and didn't want to stop."
His performance did not go unnoticed. Shirer was awarded the Army Achievement Medal For his actions during Operation New Horizons.
This year Shirer and the 458th conducted their AT in support of Operation Sand Castle (OSC) at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, Calif. Operation Sand Castle involves Army Reserve engineer units from across the country that converge at NTC to construct and enhance training sites on-post. This year, units in OSC are conducting the exercise in a tactical environment.
Charlie Company, 458th was in charge of clearing convoy routes between Forward Operating Base Santa Fe and the engineer work sites. Shirer stepped up to do whatever he could to alleviate any problems for his unit: He "took over, [supply] single handedly, without being asked ... then he was able to put together the battalion commo' section as well as our own platoon level. He's been the commo' guru," explained Robles.
Shirer, who had limited experience with the communications equipment, like any good leader, knew where to find the answer. He combed through manuals to answer anything he was not sure about. "There is a lot of stress, grief and everything else that comes with it, but you just got to shrug it off and keep on truckin'," said Shirer. "Shirer is a good guy; he is willing to do whatever for his troops," Robles said. Putting himself out to benefit his fellow Soldiers, yet another mark of a leader.
Shirer has recently expressed an interest in seeking a direct commission and becoming an engineering officer. Robles received a direct commission and is currently helping Shirer put his packet together. "He's been real inspirational and motivational, he's helped a lot and given me a lot of insightful information," said Shirer.
"I asked him about his direct commission and told him I was interested in doing it myself. And not even a month later he called me and said 'they're taking packets, make sure you get your stuff in,' so I started doing all that," said Shirer.
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Etherton, unit training and operations noncommissioned officer (NCO) who recently came to Charlie Company, clearly sees the potential in Shirer. "I gave him a copy of the Army leadership manual and he's read that whole thing since he's been out here, cover to cover ... I know a lot of senior NCOs that have never done that. So he is taking the initiative to be better," said Etherton.
Etherton, a former recruiter, was the NCO in charge of Charlie Company for the exercise. "He is highly motivated ... it doesn't matter what you task him with, he does it with incredible enthusiasm ... we've been working some long hours out here ... running these convoys back and forth but when you need a volunteer he is almost always the first one to raise his hand," he said. "As far as individual Soldiers go he has been the greatest asset to us ... throughout this exercise," he comments.
Shirer is a modest Soldier who is looking forward to bettering himself, as well as his country, as an officer in the Army Reserve. "I'm not just doing it to be an officer, I'm doing it to benefit [myself] on the civilian side too ... I'm just trying to better myself as a person in every aspect."
Shirer looks to take classes to further his military ambitions too. This AT has peaked his interest in communications and he plans on taking military classes in that field. In addition, he plans on attending the Warrior Leader Course. "I am going to try and get some classes taken care of and try and move into a [Sgt.] position before I take my commission," he explains.
Shirer also has foresight, another value of a leader. He plans on making a career in the Army Reserve, but also looks forward to getting a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. "Within the next five years, I want to get my commission, finish up my degree [and] work at a solid engineering firm. In addition to that, a friend of mine and I are talking about opening up a restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh," says Shirer.
After only two years in the Army Reserve, Shirer has shown great initiative. He will be a benefit to the Army for many years to come. He will confidently pass on the qualities of leadership he has demonstrated to other Soldiers, hopefully under his command. "He will be an asset to any unit he chooses to be in," Robles said.
"As an officer or an NCO, whichever route he ultimately decides to take, the Army needs more Soldiers like him," said Etherton.
True leaders lead by example, and Shirer has shown that. LDRSHIP: live by it.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2007 10:50 |
| Story ID: | 10721 |
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| Web Views: | 568 |
| Downloads: | 472 |
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