Photo By Jorge Garcia | Lt. Col. Robert Beale gives an impassioned speech to the Corps of Cadets after...... read more read more
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In 2011, Lt. Col. Robert Beale held the rank of captain and served as the Air Mission Commander with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Also known as the “Night Stalkers,ˮ the 160th SOAR is known for the helicopter aviation support it typically provides during special operations.
Hence, it’s been 20 years since he graduated from West Point as a second lieutenant. Now, as an accomplished Army officer and Night Stalker, Beale would return to West Point on Oct. 20 to receive the acclaimed 2nd Lt. Alexander R. Nininger Award and provide insight into the arduous trials cadets would likely endure as officers during their Army tenures.
“I appreciate the opportunity to speak to all of you this evening. I participated in similar events like this when I was a cadet over 20 years ago, and it is truly humbling being on this side of the room,” Beale said. “...The two elements that I would like to focus on tonight are the never quit attitude and never leaving a fallen comrade behind.”
Beale briefly took the cadets back to Sept. 13, 2011. At the time, he was assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Beale had received a medical evacuation request over his radio feed while returning from a previous mission.
After receiving approval from his chain of command, Beale took the initiative and came to the aid of a Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician 12 minutes away from his position.
Unfortunately, the technician had been struck by an improvised explosive device. Upon his arrival, Beale and the rest of the Night Stalkers were flanked by heavy RPG fire and had no fire support. Despite the circumstances, Beale urgently coordinated a rescue effort through hoist extraction.
Following this, he quickly changed the position of his Chinook flying toward a secure field within reach, evading enemy fire and saving the technician’s life.
“Night Stalkers don’t quit. That mentality is why the U.S. military will always be the most awesome force for good in this world. We have men and women who don’t quit and will accomplish the mission no matter how difficult or challenging and on the night of Sept. 13, 2011, not one of the 32 Night Stalkers (flying their Chinooks) quit,” Beale said. “They continued the fight until the mission was accomplished.”
After sharing his onerous experience, Beale expressed concern for veterans coping with severe depression.
“We are living in an epidemic of veteran suicide. Soldiers have gone to war doing the tough work and returning home safely only to later battle substance abuse and depression,ˮ Beale said. “We owe it to ourselves and each other to reach out and check in on our sisters and brothers.ˮ
Beale also addressed the pressures and stresses cadets may be going through and used his cadet experiences at West Point and early in his tenure as an officer to provide life-long advice.
“My classmates and I felt the same pressures, whether it was questioning late nights doing homework, studying for exams or my friends wondering why they were spending night after night freezing in Ranger School in February,” Beale said.
He added that West Point allows cadets to build a foundation of knowledge, skills and close relationships that they will likely cherish for the rest of their lives.
“After the hard work is over and the task was accomplished, we always seemed to reflect upon the value of those tough times recalled on those experiences that made us better people, better leaders and better prepared to handle the uncertainty that life seems to send our way,ˮ Beale said.
After his speech, Beale received a standing ovation as Class of 2023 Cadet and First Captain Lauren Drysdale presented him with a Cadet Bust on behalf of the Corps of Cadets.
“Thank you for being here,ˮ Drysdale concluded. “Your courage and perseverance in battle is an inspiring example for all of us.ˮ
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2022 10:44 |
| Story ID: | 432031 |
| Location: | WEST POINT, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 284 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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