Photo By Staff Sgt. Sebastian Rothwyn | New York Army National Guard Maj. Seun Ogunkoya with the 369th Sustainment Brigade...... read more read more
HARLEM, New York – With increased responsibility comes a deeper understanding of how the role of a field grade officer impacts not only individual Soldiers but the overall success of a brigade.
New York Army National Guard Maj. Seun Ogunkoya’s recent promotion from captain, which took place during a logistics operations meeting on Sept. 7, 2024, at the Harlem Regiment Armory as part of the 369th Sustainment Brigade’s monthly drill weekend, further reflects his shift in perspective.
“As a major and senior staff officer of the logistics operations section, I’m more involved in strategic planning and ensuring that we are always mission-ready," Ogunkoya said.
“When I was a second lieutenant, I saw the Army through my platoon, but now I see the big picture and I focus on what is best for the organization,” said Ogunkoya.
The major rank in the U.S. Army is the first rank in the field-grade rank group, which includes major, lieutenant colonel and colonel.
According to Congressional Research Service, these officers typically lead units with several hundred to several thousand personnel or serve as senior staff officers.
“Learning that every decision has a broader impact on the entire unit has changed how I approach leadership and mission planning,” said Ogunkoya.
With increased expectations such as coordinating the battalions that fall under the 369th SB, Ogunkoya draws on both his experience and knowledge, and the insights and opportunities afforded to him by his mentors.
“The previous brigade commander, retired Col. Seth Morgulas, was one of the officers who helped me see the big picture of the Army,” Ogunkoya said. “Additionally, Maj. Stephen Raschke gave me the opportunity to manage the unit’s training operations prior to the deployment.”
These two opportunities for learning from accomplished field grade officers, provided Ogunkoya with valuable insight as to what lay ahead for him, the brigade and the Army National Guard.
Ogunkoya is now focused on accomplishing new goals as a newly promoted major.
He said about one goal, "I want to ensure that my organization is sufficiently sustained and ensure that the brigade is successfully resourced to complete the upcoming Warfighter Exercise (WFX) and every mission after that.”
A WFX is accomplished in a training environment with missions that are critical to the 369th SB as it prepares for a transition to a division sustainment brigade in October of this year. This notional training environment for division sustainment operations strengthens the warfighting capabilities of corp and division units.
During the WFX Ogunkoya will lead his section and he intends on doing so by completing his job to the best of his ability. His approach is rooted in ensuring mission readiness and leading by example.
Reflecting on his recent promotion, he emphasized the personal significance of the milestone.
"It’s a true honor to become a field grade officer. While the promotion is a recognition of my growth as an officer, it’s humbling because it is a reminder that I have responsibilities that require me to know my craft and do my job effectively," Ogunkoya said.
| Date Taken: | 09.08.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2024 23:27 |
| Story ID: | 480347 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Newly Promoted Major Focuses on Strategic Leadership at 369th SB, by SGT Ryan Scribner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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