Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry | Indiana Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. John A. Watson, far left, Task Force...... read more read more
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Task Force 38 promoted six of its specialists to sergeant in a ceremony here, May 17.
"It's always special to be promoted on the battlefield and even more so to become a non-commissioned officer," said Indiana Army National Guard Col. David C. Wood, Task Force 38 commander, during the ceremony.
Joining the ranks of the NCO corps during the ceremony were Sgt. Scott Wells, Sgt. Derek E. Weaver, Sgt. Stephen Phillips, Sgt. Garrett McConnell, Sgt. Jesse Redick, and Sgt. Darrin Coffey.
"It's a relief, and it's exciting to take a responsible position, to do what I would like to do, and to call the shots so to speak," said Weaver, a Task Force 38 geospatial engineer topographic analyst.
Weaver agreed with Wood that it's unique to be promoted while in a combat environment like Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I like the fact that I earned my promotion in OIF," said Weaver. "I feel like I accomplished something."
He also said the rise in ranks will help him further his career.
"I'm progressing in my career field," said Weaver. "I can be the subject matter expert."
Another task force Soldier who was promoted that day saw many other advantages and responsibilities of joining the non-commissioned officer corps.
"Basically it's taking more of a leadership role in the [intelligence] section," said Coffey, an intelligence analyst, of his new role within his section. "Where I was doing the work, now I'm making sure the work gets done, and helping out with other tasks."
"Being an NCO, actually, I think is really cool," said Coffey of taking on more responsibilities for himself and other Soldiers.
After serving a little more than three years in the military, Coffey said being promoted alongside five of his peers was significant.
"It's kind of like we can see the next generation of sergeants coming up with us," said Coffey, of Brownsburg, Ind. "You can see the foundation of young NCOs we're building."
During the ceremony Soldiers' first-line leaders pinned the new sergeants. For Coffey that meant Staff Sgt. Mauri Sasher had the honor to pin him.
"The best thing about being pinned in Iraq was that (Staff) Sgt. Sasher pinned me. It means a lot," said Coffey. "He's been my mentor this last year, and I think I'm going to become a successful NCO because of him. He's given me a lot of guidance."
While Coffey felt honored, so was Sasher.
"I think it is important because there's nobody closer to the Soldiers than their first-line leader. They expressed an interest in me promoting them, and I was more than honored to do it," said Sasher, of Shelbyville, Ind.
In addition to Coffey, Sasher also pinned McConnell, Redick and Weaver. He took pride watching them develop throughout the deployment and knowing he did his job of guiding them to become NCOs.
"It means a lot to me to know that they're ready for the next level, and it gives me a sense of pride knowing that I have done my job," said Sasher, the Task Force 38 intelligence non-commissioned offer in charge. "If command (leadership) is ready to promote them, it lets me know I'm doing my job mentoring them and guiding them in the right direction. There's nothing really better than promoting your guys and being able to instill in them what some of my superiors in the past have given me."
Sasher reflected on what it meant to be a noncommissioned officer and to make the transition to the NCO corps.
"You only get pinned to sergeant once, and the NCO corps is very special in the sense that we're the backbone, the driving gears of the Army. We take a plan that the officers give us and make it happen," said Sasher.
Sasher also saw the promotion ceremony benefitting the Indiana Army National Guard.
"By promoting good Soldiers, it will help to ensure the National Guard strength in the future," he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2010 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 50664 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 177 |
| Downloads: | 130 |
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