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New CSM for ESC's Wrangler Bde.

Photo By Sgt. John Ortiz | Command Sgt. Maj. Erik R.R. Frey, the 4th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major...... read more read more

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

07.20.2008

Courtesy Story

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

By Spc. John D. Ortiz
4th Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- For Army officers and enlisted alike, no one inspires more confidence and discipline than the standard set by a command sergeant major, the highest level an enlisted Soldier can reach.

The Soldiers of the 4th Sustainment Brigade received their newest senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Erik Richard Ray Frey.

"Being one of the newest members of the 'Wrangler' team is certainly an honor and privilege," said Frey, the top non-commissioned officer in the unit. "It's great to be a part of the 'Wrangler' country."

Frey has served more than 24 years in the Army and came to the 'Wrangler' brigade after a tour as the 29th Commandant of the 7th Army Non-commissioned Officer Academy in Europe. His duty position as the command sergeant major for the brigade is his first assignment to a non-divisional unit.

"My plan is to learn and understand what our mission is and what our Soldiers are doing in Kuwait and Iraq," said Frey. "I will try and be a useful member of the team and try to improve the quality of life. My main priority is to get all the Soldiers back healthy, wealthy, wise, safe and in one piece after this long deployment."

As the senior enlisted advisor to the commander, Frey will carry out policies and set the standard for performance, training, appearance and the conduct of enlisted personnel in the unit.
"It's our job as non-commissioned officers and my job as the senior non-commissioned officer in this brigade to uphold those policies and enforce them," he said.

Frey brings to the 'Wrangler' table the value of the Army standard and a personal way of conducting business. He lives for not only his Soldiers but for the Army.

"What I'm big on and have always been, is the pride and esprit de corps, in what we feel as non-commissioned officers," he said. "It is not a job, it is not a profession, it is a way of life."

"There is nothing better, no higher calling than a Soldier's service to their country during a time of war," said Frey.

"It doesn't matter if you clean latrines, push up North into Iraq, or turn wrenches," he said. "It's all important and everyone has to do their part to make this war successful."

"I came into the Army as a food service specialist, I volunteered to do the job, wanted to do the job, and stayed in the job my entire career," he said.

"In my 24 years, my time has been mixed with drill sergeant duty and first sergeant time; half of my career I spent in my job, the other half I spent in leadership positions," said Frey.

"I like to lead from the front and don't like to beat around the bush. I'll call it how I see it; a standard is a standard, taking care of Soldiers is priority one, mission is priority one and we can do both at the same time," he said.

"My philosophy has always been that I need to be in the worst place where my Soldiers are living," he said. "I want to be fair to the entire brigade and make sure I'm covering all the ground in Kuwait and Iraq."

As the senior enlisted advisor, Frey will not only be a trusted advisor to the commander, but will be his eyes and ears.

"It's important to have a good understanding, to have the pulse of the brigade, to give the commander a clear recommendation and course of action, so he can make a sound decision," said Frey.

"As a non-commissioned officer, we are trained as we go through the different ranks to take care of your Soldiers, family, and mission," said Frey.

"With each rank, the sphere of influence gets bigger. With the 4th Sustainment Brigade, my influence is huge, it's a lot of ground to cover, a lot of responsibility," he said. "It's an honor and privilege to be the command sergeant major of the 'Wrangler' Brigade."