The Brown Family Warriors: Brig. Gen. Brown promotes daughter in Mosul, Iraq

Photo By Daniel Nelson | Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general (support), Multi-National Division-North, shows newly promoted Sgt. Tyler Lishman, a member of Brown's personal security detail, a poster that was made of him following Lishman's promotion ceremony Aug. 1.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

08.01.2009

Story by Spc. Daniel Nelson 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq - The difference between a promotion ceremony in the U.S. and one done while in Iraq is the lack of having family members there to watch proudly as you progress in the ranks. For some people though they are fortunate enough to have a family member serving in Iraq at the same time who can attend the ceremony.

For newly promoted Capt. Kelly Calway, 25th Infantry Division analysis control element battle captain, the experience was one-of-a-kind with having her father conducting the promotion ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general (support), Multi-National Division-North, 25th Infantry Division, had the honor of promoting three Soldiers Aug. 1, at Command Post-North. Calway was one of those three and also happens to be Brown's daughter.

"I'm very proud as a parent," said Brown. "I call it two worlds colliding because you kind of have your Army world and your family world. Then all of a sudden you have your family and Army worlds together."

Also promoted by Brown were Sgt. 1st Class Olene Togiailua, CP-North's operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge, and Sgt. Tyler Lishman, a member of Brown's personal security detail.

As he did for Togiailua and Lishman, Brown spoke about the many accomplishments Calway has had in her military career. He also, as a proud father, talked about the achievements she's had outside of the military such as her passion for running marathons, which has earned her numerous awards in the sport.

In addition, Calway was named the Army 2008 Female Athlete of the Year and has been selected to be part of the Army World Class Athlete program in Colorado Springs, Colo., this time next year.

"She could have easily gotten out and not served and tried for the Olympics. I'm very proud that she chose the harder right over the easier wrong," added Brown.

The Calway and Brown families back home in Hawaii were also in attendance for the ceremony. A laptop, webcam and microphone were set up to connect them through Skype, allowing them to witness the event.

Following the "pinning" of Calway, Brown presented her with a framed plaque, which has photos of Calway and Brown in Iraq, a personalized engraved plate, a 25th ID coin from the division's commander and Multi-National Division-North commander, Maj. Gen. Robert Caslen, and the silver captain's bars for military dress uniform.

"They were my dad's, then my dad "pinned" my husband [Christopher Calway], and they've been passed down to me," said Calway.

Promotions weren't the only celebrations at CP-North though, as Brown also had the chance to award Calway with her first combat patch — the 25th Infantry Division's "Tropic Lightning" taro leaf patch.

"I've seen the 25th crest since before I even knew what it meant, and now I am wearing it forever on my right arm," added Calway. "I've always seen it around, and my dad absolutely loves this division. He really passed that down to me."

After the members of CP-North and friends attending from Forward Operating Base Marez lined up and shook hand congratulating the three for their promotions, Calway, Togiailua and Lishman all took part in cutting a cake that was made and decorated with captain, sergeant first class and sergeant ranks.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2009
• Date Posted: 08.11.2009 03:24
• Story ID: 37354
• Location: MOSUL, IQ