Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony L Taylor | Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Joanna McCarthy assigned to the 3rd battalion, 335th Regiment,...... read more read more
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.- Brig. Gen. Fredrick R. Maiocco, Jr., commanding general, 85th Support Command and deputy commanding general, First Army, Division West based out of Fort Hood, Texas, pinned two former sergeants to the rank of second lieutenant during a commissioning ceremony held at Fort Philip H. Sheridan, Army Reserve Center Jan. 10.
Maiocco, who was recently assigned to the 85th Support Command as its commander, expressed his joy in taking part in the ceremony for 2nd Lt. Jiaru Bryar and 2nd Lt. Joanna McCarthy, both from the 3rd Battalion, 335th Regiment, 181st Infantry Brigade, First Army Division West.
“It’s an infrequent thing that officers get to do, obviously, to do these kinds of commission ceremonies,” said Maiocco.
This was Maiocco’s first visit to the 3-335th, one of First Army Division West’s Army Reserve units that the 85th Support Command provides administrative actions (administrative control) for, as the new commander of the 85th Support Command.
“What a great opportunity to be able to see the three-three five, to celebrate their great successes, and what a joy to be able to not only commission, but also promote these new officers.” Maiocco added.
Both Bryar and McCarthy expressed their range of emotions after receiving their ceremonial commissions.
“I feel very encouraged and very determined, and I will do my very best to fulfill this responsibility, and do my best to lead by example,” said Bryar just after being commissioned.
“I feel motivated, excited, and relieved,” said, McCarthy, “It was a long process, so I’m glad that journey [is] over and a new one will begin now.”
Bryar and McCarthy were very ambitious to move forward and attend Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC) as soon as possible. McCarthy stated that she looks forward to transferring to a “line” unit (tactical unit) and receiving that type of experience; while Bryar looks forward to attending as many different military and leadership courses as possible.
As for long-term goals with the military, Bryar and McCarthy both intend to make a long career out of it.
“Before I was promoted I wasn’t that ambitious about retiring as a full bird colonel, but now I may have to reconsider,” said Bryar.
“Certainly I hope to stay with the military beyond retirement. Twenty years is just the window; [it] keeps you happy, keeps you active, and it certainly keeps me motivated, so I hope to have a long happy career with the military,” McCarthy stated.
Maiocco shared insight to the background of both of the newly pinned officers during the ceremony.
Bryar was as an immigrant from the northeastern People’s Republic of China. At age 5, she told her mother she wanted to travel to the United States. After an initial visa denial to enter the U.S., Bryar applied to study in Ireland. After two years in Ireland she re-applied to the U.S. to study at the University of South Carolina. She completed her Bachelors in Accounting within two and a half years, and finished her Master’s degree as her previous classmates were completing their Bachelor’s degrees.
Bryar began her military career in 2010, with the 85th Support Command, as a Military Technician (Army Civilian), working as an internal review auditor. After receiving the position, she realized that she was also hired as an Army Reserve soldier, a condition of employment as a military technician. Shortly after, she departed for basic training.
Last year Bryar was recognized from the Army Reserve Command after submitting the command’s Annual Statement of Assurance report, and learning that it was the only one, nationwide, to receive a 100 percent passing rate.
McCarthy was regarded as a soldier with much experience in leadership. As a ‘Citizen Soldier,’ she works for a large corporation with 250 employees and 17 supervisors under her supervision. McCarthy earned her Masters and is currently working on her doctorate. She has also designed and executed projects including an environmental monitoring system for the Food and Drug Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institutes of Health, and Brook Army Medical Center.
As a soldier, McCarthy also worked with the 416th Theater Engineer Command, headquartered in Darien, Illinois and assisted in designing plans for underground sanitary and storm systems for Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan.
Following the commissioning ceremony, Staff Sgt. Erik Zlatkin, 3-335, was promoted to the senior noncommissioned officer ranks by Maiocco and addressed his company with a quick, brief "thank you" to all of them for their support. After the ceremony Maiocco said,
“It’s always exciting to see young people who are interested in service to the nation and service to the country. Military service is an incredibly honorable profession, and so to see them willing to not only commit to that, but to live it is great.”
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2015 18:01 |
| Story ID: | 151837 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 642 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Army Reserve noncommissioned officers take commission, by Aaron Berogan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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