Photo By Samantha Treadway | Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Army Pacific commander, visits with 2-9 Infantry...... read more read more
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UIJEONGBU, South Korea -- U.S. Army Pacific commanding general Gen. Vincent K. Brooks visited the 2nd Infantry Division Aug. 3, touring facilities and meeting with Soldiers at Camp Casey and the Joint Security Area.
Brooks’ visit, part of a tour of the Army Pacific command, took him back to his old battalion in the Land of the Morning Calm.
Brooks previously commanded 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment "Manchus," part of the 2nd Infantry Division's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team at Camp Casey. Lt. Col. Shawn P. Creamer, one of Brooks’ former soldiers, now commands the unit.
"Keep up the fire! That's all he's got to do," said Brooks, echoing the 9th Infantry "Manchus" Regimental motto to inspire Creamer.
Creamer was a new lieutenant with 2-9 Infantry when Brooks was in command of the battalion. Looking back on his first assignment with the Manchus with pride, he’s received much mentorship from his former commander, who had a huge impact on his development as a leader.
The importance of mentorship in leader development is no secret to the 2-9 Infantry Manchus. “As a young officer he made quite an impression on a lot of more junior officers. He exhibited a lot of traits that we have tried to emulate over our careers,” said Creamer. Brooks’ mentorship of his subordinates preserved lessons learned and developed a culture of professionalism in the unit.
"When I saw 2-9 Infantry was opening up as an available command, I put it as my top choice, largely because of the fond memories I had here as a lieutenant and figured this was the place I should try to go and pay it forward to the next generation of leaders," said Creamer.
Three more officers, also former subordinates of Brooks during his command of 2-9 Infantry, are currently serving in Korea. United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area Commander Lt. Col. Daniel Edwan; 41st Signal Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Ray Wood; and Eighth Army G6 Network Operations Chief Lt. Col. Dan Reynolds all served with Brooks and the Manchus.
During his visit to 2-9 Infantry, Brooks took some time to mentor junior Soldiers on the personal responsibility for improvement. Brooks told a group of approximately 20 soldiers that they must become competent and proficient in the job they’re in now.
Competency opens doors for the soldier, builds character and is essential for the Soldier to become a leader. Competent, committed leaders of strong character are critical in the training of Soldiers. The 2nd Infantry Division is trained and ready to fight tonight because of these leaders.
From focusing on developing leaders, to remaining humble regardless of rank, to the importance of professional development, Creamer says today he still uses lessons learned as a lieutenant.
“Lt. Col. Edwan sometimes teases me that what he sees 2-9 Infantry doing today reminds him a lot of what we used to do and how the battalion operated when we were young lieutenants,” said Creamer. This is evidence of the success of the Army’s leadership development model and an outstanding unit mentorship program.
Brooks also looks back on his time in the 2nd Infantry Division with pride. “To see the proud tradition of the Manchus being carried on in a positive way, and Soldiers excited to be a part of it, men and women inside of that combined arms battalion, it filled my heart with joy. It really did,” said Brooks.
"I've got great pride having served in the Second to None division, we certainly knew that we were Second to None," said Brooks. "It's a great division with a great history, and certainly a great commitment here in Korea, and we're just proud of their service."
For the latest information about the 2nd Infantry Division, visit the division website www.2id.korea.army.mil or its official Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/2nd-Infantry-Division-Official-Page/115096795191157.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2013 07:41 |
| Story ID: | 111632 |
| Location: | UIJEONBU, SOUTH KOREA , GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 345 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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