Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly | Spc. Mackenzie Armboy assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd...... read more read more
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The U.S. Army contains an abundant 243 years of rich history that has defined what it means to be an American Soldier and paved a promising path for future warriors.
Spc. Mackenzie Armboy is a bright eyed, 19-year-old who raised his right hand approximately a year and a half ago to join the Army’s elite fighting force. Since then he has become extremely proficient in his job and uses his knowledge and strengths to lead other Soldiers.
Armboy’s decision to rock Army greens came from the desire to follow in his father and brother’s footsteps. Both served in the U.S. Army and passed down the challenge of being a U.S Soldier.
“I could definitely foresee Armboy going into the Army not only because he has family in the Army but his willingness before enlisting,” said Lance Cpl. Kyrin Benally assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Marines.
Armboy and Benally are cousins united by blood, tradition and lifestyle. In a unique and peculiar twist both are currently deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania.
“I had never thought I’d cross paths with him ever in my Marine Corps career,” Benally said. “I was honestly surprised to see Armboy here.... you don’t often see individuals from home.”
Armboy originates from the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. His Native American background has influenced him to represent his culture in the best way possible, in and out of uniform.
“I’m representing where I come from,” Armboy said.
Armboy’s continuous dedication and leadership is fueled by guiding support and inspiration from his family.
Armboy is assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division supporting Atlantic Resolve in Europe, an enduring training exercise between the U.S., NATO partners and allied forces. As a signal support systems specialist, he ensures radios are filled, systems integrators are accounted for and communication is readily available.
“Communication is very important,” Armboy said. “Without Commo (communication), then we wouldn’t be able to speak to anyone else across the battlefield.”
Many Soldiers can operate the Application Specific Integrated Circuit radios but Armboy has the ability to operate the more advanced forms of communication equipment that are unfamiliar to the majority.
“It’s something you don’t see around very often especially with the equipment we use,” said Staff Sgt. Alan Alegria, assigned to HHC, 2-5 Cav, 1st ABCT, 1st CD. “It's not your common line of equipment, and he’s always on top of it.”
Armboy’s advanced knowledge allowed units in Karliki, Poland to communicate with units in Torun, Poland; a location approximately five hours away by road.
"Spc. Armboy has been a mission critical asset in establishing the tactical communication across the Battalion," said U.S. Army Cpt. Lydia Woldridge, the S6 signal operations commander of 2-5 Cav, 1st ABCT, 1st CD. "Spc. Armboy single handedly troubleshot the entire Battalion's fleet of JCR (Java Content Repository) systems."
Having the ability to load High Frequency and Tactical set radios, he proves to be well experienced beyond his rank. He is using his expertise to create a standard operating procedure to disseminate to other Soldiers to ensure communication is successful when his departs from MK to work in other countries.
“Armboy is an outgoing individual,” Benally said. “He is intelligent at his job enough to teach his peers.”
Armboy’s skills and exemplary performance enables him to be an asset to the BN and set an example for other Soldiers. Every day he actively represents the Native American community and continues a family legacy of service and commitment through his hard work and dedication to the Army.
“He’s one of the ones that leads from the front when it comes to his job,” Alegria said. “He’s actually one of the ones you can rely on.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2018 08:55 |
| Story ID: | 286041 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE , RO |
| Hometown: | NAVAJO, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 789 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldier In Focus: Spc. Armboy Leads Way, by SSG Hannah Tarkelly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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