Top U.S. commander in Iraq promotes two Greywolf NCOs

Photo By Capt. Linda North | Gen. Raymond Odierno, commanding general of Multi-National Forces – Iraq, talks about the significance of being promoted to the ranks of senior non-commissioned officer. Sgt. 1st Class Jose Muniz, a senior food operations non-commissioned officer from Puerto Rico, and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Harner, a maintenance team chief from Springfield, Ohio, both assigned to 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were promoted by the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Aug. 1, at Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

08.01.2009

Story by Capt. Linda North 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

MOSUL, Iraq — Gen. Raymond Odierno, commanding general of Multi-National Forces — Iraq took time out of his demanding schedule to promote two non-commissioned officers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division to the rank of sergeant first class Aug. 1 at Forward Operating Base Marez.

Sgt. 1st Class Jose Muniz, a senior food operations non-commissioned officer from Puerto Rico, and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Harner, a maintenance team chief from Springfield, Ohio, both assigned to Fox Forward Support Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, were welcomed to the ranks of senior non-commissioned officers by the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

"Getting promoted from staff sergeant to sergeant first class in my mind is extremely important," said Odierno. "First off, it's the first time you go through central selection to get promoted which means you have competed with everybody else in the Army and the Army's decided that you are the type of non-commissioned officer that we want to continue in the Army."

Odierno flew to FOB Marez to receive an operations and intelligence brief by 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. After the briefing, he conducted the promotion ceremony.

"To me it meant a lot because I've already been in the Army for 19 years and I have one of the hardest [military occupational specialties] to get promoted in, so to be selected for it was a real honor," said Harner.

For Sgt. 1st Class Muniz the promotion was not only important for him but for his loved ones back home.

"For me it's probably the best day in the Army and for my family," said Muniz. "I'm thankful for my family."

The promotion ceremony marked an important milestone for these two senior NCO's. For Odierno it was a special day where he could interact with Soldiers and be a part of military tradition.

"I want to congratulate you and thank you two both for asking me to promote you today," said Odierno.

Odierno also recognized six Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment by awarding them coins for outstanding service.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2009
• Date Posted: 08.04.2009 08:21
• Story ID: 37112
• Location: MOSUL, IQ