Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Frankenberg, senior noncommissioned officer with 1st...... read more read more
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FORT McCoy, Wis. — Leaders and Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, took a few minutes during one of their battle update briefs to recognize one of their own for reaching 30 years of active service to the Army and the nation.
“We want to take a few minutes to recognize one of our senior noncommissioned officers, who has faithfully led Soldiers for 30 years,” said Lt. Col. David Defelice, commander, 1st Squadron, 4th Cav. Regt., 1st Inf. Div. “He has dutifully performed every task the Army has ever asked him to do.”
Defelice was referring to his senior noncommissioned officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Frankenberg, who celebrated his 30th year of active-duty service Aug. 22 at Fort McCoy, during the squadron’s Combat Support Training Exercise 15-03.
Defelice, a native of East Haven, Connecticut, said Frankenberg made a positive impact on the Soldiers in the squadron and he was deeply honored to have served alongside him.
“Being in the field surrounded by the Soldiers and officers of the ‘Quarterhorse’ squadron is one of the best things I could ask for,” Frankenberg said. “This is probably one of the last major field exercises I will participate in, so it’s an honor to spend this time with my Soldiers.
Frankenberg said he was an “average” 17-year-old kid with a strong desire to become a policeman in his hometown of Las Vegas, but could not due to his age, so he walked into an Army recruiting office.
“When the recruiter told me I had to be at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall to become a military police officer, I was crushed,” Frankenberg said. “The only thing I had seen myself being was a police officer.”
Frankenberg said the recruiter had a video that might change his mind about what he wanted to do in the military.
“The video started slow; then you see an M1 Abrams tank moving very fast, hitting a small hill then jumping through the air over a small puddle of water,” Frankenberg said. “It was the coolest thing I had ever seen and I knew what I wanted to do that in the military.”
Frankenberg enlisted in the Army as an armor crewman.
On Aug. 23, 1985, he reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to begin his life of service in the military.
“Thirty years go by faster than you think,” Frankenberg said. “When I first enlisted, I never thought about making this a career, but each time I was a month away from ending my service, I would re-enlist for another four years.”
Frankenberg said it was a privilege to serve as a command sergeant major.
“Over the last few months, I’ve begun to reflect on my career,” Frankenberg said. “I get a little emotional, because I know my time [in the military] is coming to an end.”
Frankenberg said he had many memorable moments throughout his career, but the one that stuck out the most was one he shared during Operation Desert Shield/ Storm with Pfc. Richard Wells, the loader on his tank crew when he was a young sergeant.
“We were sitting in our tank when Wells shared his anxiety about spending his first Thanksgiving away from his family and friends,” Frankenberg said. “I told him most of the Soldiers here were away from family and friends, and not to worry because we are family now and none of us would ever be alone on another holiday.”
Frankenberg said taking care of Soldiers and their families was the thing he enjoyed the most.
“The thing I love most about being in the Army is being able to help Soldiers,” Frankenberg said. “I have tried to help Soldiers my entire career.”
Frankenberg said he was not sure about the next chapter of his life, but looked forward to spending more time with his family.
“They have been there for me through the numerous deployments and it’s time for me to be there for them,” Frankenberg said.
Frankenberg said his retirement was still about a year away, so he would continue focusing on good order and discipline in the squadron. He said the most important information he could give to Soldiers and leaders was to be proud of the two name tapes that appear on their uniforms.
“Find two things to be proud of every day,” Frankenberg said. “Remember, you made it and are part of something much bigger than yourself.”
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2015 14:24 |
| Story ID: | 180075 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Hometown: | EAST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Hometown: | LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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