Junior enlisted Soldier fills leadership void

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ruth McClary | Spc. Johnny Provins, of Troop C, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, assumes the troop's executive officers responsibilities during the month of September. Provins, of Fairmont, W.Va., continued his normal duties, adding on managing and tracking the movement of the troop's supplies. Troop C is based out of Glen Jean, W. Va.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.23.2009

Story by Spc. Ruth McClary 

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team

BAGHDAD — Being an executive has its privileges, but when a junior enlisted assumes the position of a military executive officer for a month, that privilege equates to more responsibility and less sleep.

Spc. John Provins, of Troop C, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, volunteered to assume the responsibilities of the troop's executive officer at Camp Stryker, despite the position being well above his pay grade.

An Army specialist is considered a junior enlisted, with most leadership responsibility starting with a sergeant. Provins got to jump directly into the shoes of a first lieutenant; do not pass "Go," do not collect $200.

"When the troop's executive officer, 1st Lt. Adam Penfold, took his allotted leave, the void had to be filled by a motivated individual willing to take on a great deal of additional duties," said Capt. Thomas Mills, Troop C commander.

"Due to a shortage of available personnel, Provins stepped up to the plate, volunteering to accept the responsibility," he added.

"Last year for National Guard annual training I worked as acting executive officer," said Provins. "Sometimes you butt heads over rank issues but generally it's not a problem."

Provins, of Fairmont, W.Va., usually works in the tactical operations center tracking patrols, monitoring radios and vehicle tracking devices. In the executive officers position, he is in charge of Troop logistics operations.

"Spc. Provins has accomplished his assigned tasks with surprising efficiency and competence while maintaining a great attitude," said Mills, of Winfield, W.Va. "He has earned praise from the squadron battle captain for attention to detail with required reports and dissemination of information."

Provins was a cadet in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of West Virginia University in Morganton before coming on this deployment. The program gives future Army leaders experience as platoon leaders before transitioning into the actual position.

"I would have been a second lieutenant by now," said Provins. "I worked with the ROTC to get released from the program for this deployment. A contracted cadet is non-deployable even if you are a member of a National Guard unit that is scheduled to deploy."

The acting executive officer has been very busy this month managing supplies, filing daily tracker reports, transferring equipment needed by other units and turning in vehicles in preparation for re-deployment.

"Provins had some pretty big shoes to fill," said 1st Lt. Shawn McGlothlin, of Bluefield, W.Va. "There haven't been any challenges to his position and everything has worked out fine."

This ex-cadet walked off the training field onto the battlefield; assumed the task, accepted the challenges and volunteered to serve in the role that ROTC equipped him for — leadership.

"When the executive officer returns, the troop commander is scheduled to take his leave," said Provins. "First Lt. Penfold will become acting commander and I will continue on as acting executive officer."

• Date Taken: 09.23.2009
• Date Posted: 09.29.2009 01:05
• Story ID: 39397
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ