Sewing Command Sergeant Major

Photo By Maj. Anthony Buchanan | Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Muskevitsch sits at his after sewing a uniform for one of his Soldiers.  

12.19.2005

Story by 2nd Lt. Anthony Buchanan 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan
133RD MPAD


BRASSFIELD-MORA, Samarra (December 14, 2005) -- When you think of a Command Sergeant Major you think of someone who is a standard bearer for all enlisted personnel. You think of a hard-charging, motivating role model. You think of a person who if you get in their way, they'll stomp all over you. The 3rd ID's 3-69th Armor Battalion's Command Sergeant Major is just this type of individual, but he has a lot more to offer.

Not only is Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick W. Muskevitsch, a native of New London, Wisconsin, the pinnacle of what an NCO should strive to be, he also does sewing and alternations for his Soldiers on a daily basis here at FOB Brassfield-Mora.

Soldiers of the 3-69 are still wearing Desert Combat Uniforms (DCUs) and haven't been issued Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs). During his current deployment, he has managed to make alterations to about 800 Soldiers uniforms!

"All they do is put their uniforms on a hangar and hang them on my door," said
Muskevitsch. "When I not on a mission, I just pull out the old sewing machine and sew."

Muskevitsch doesn't charge his Soldiers anything. He just wants his Soldiers tolook good.

"People talk about soldiers looking unprofessional and not staying in uniform, you have to help them," said Muskevitsch. "These kids get their uniforms shredded, torn-up and shot-up; they bring them to me, and I fix them."

The closest place that Soldiers can get alternations done is at FOB Speicher, which is about 35 miles away, and even then, not all of the Soldiers can get there.

"Send a kid on the road, just to get his patches sewn on? I don't think so," said Muskevitsch.

Some of the Soldiers know how to hand sew their patches, but they only stay on for so long before they start to fall off again. Muskevitsch knows this because he is on his fourth deployment.

"About half way through the mission, Soldier's patches start to fall off because they're washed so many times," said Muskevitsch. "I want my boys to look good when they get home."

"Muskevitsch's hobbies are building monster trucks, hunting and fishing. He is truly a "jack of all trades."

"If you don't find me in the Tactical Operations Center (TOC), I'm in the shop welding, or I'm out doing mission with my infantry guys," said Muskevitsch.

He highlighted working with members of the National Guard from Wisconsin because they brought so many different skills to the table.

"When you're in an environment like this, you need to find people who have special skills like carpenters and electricians," said Muskevitsch.

When Muskevitsch's military career is done, he plans on becoming a teacher.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2005
• Date Posted: 12.19.2005 11:12
• Story ID: 4135