Photo By Capt. Monika Comeaux | Sgt. Jeremy Penman, with the 872nd Maintenance Company tightens a bolt on a humvee in...... read more read more
The motor pool of the 872nd Maintenance Company at Logistical Support Area Diamondback is always busy. Mechanics work on top of, inside, and underneath vehicles, some with more confidence than others.
Sgt. Jeremy Penman, an artillery mechanic and power generator equipment repairer, is very knowledgeable and competent. Despite his training, he mostly works on wheeled vehicles, like humvees.
"He is our go-to Soldier," said Staff Sgt.Tina A. Resch, also a mechanic who is in charge of Penman in the motor pool. "He is very proficient. There are other NCOs in the shop that go to him with their problems."
She has known Penman since April 2005 and can only say good things about him.
Penman joined the Army because he "felt like joining the Army that day," he said. He was partaking in rodeos before he made the decision to sign up for a profession that can be just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than riding untamed beasts. He didn't regret his decision.
"I get to see the world. I have been to Korea, Turkey, Iraq, Australia, Bosnia. It's a fun job," Penman said.
Penman is on his second tour in Iraq. The first time he deployed, he was on active duty with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Carson, Colo.
He was Soldier of the Year at Fort Carson in 2001. He has decided to get out, pursue a degree and become an officer one day.
While on his terminal leave, he had a DUI and lost his rank. He knows he was at fault. He didn't blame the Army. He still continued with his original plan, and joined the Reserves in Utah.
"The Reserves pay 100 percent tuition. In order to pay for school, I just decided to join the Reserves and go to school full time. Once I get my commission, I plan on going back on active duty," Penman said.
He majors in journalism at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and is close to finishing his degree. Although he doesn't have time, access to the internet or access to an education center, he's trying his best to acquire some college credits while deployed.
He's working on writing two books simultaneously and hopes that he'll be able to get some credits from his college for his hard work.
Before he got his stripes back, he also went back to competing in the Soldier of the Month competition and went on to the Soldier of the Quarter board for the 142nd Corps Support Group at Diamondback.
Staff Sgt. Jason W. Huber, also a mechanic and now the assistant operations NCO of the 872nd, has a high opinion about Penman. He used almost identical adjectives to describe him as Resch used.
"When he was in my squad, he was my go-to guy. He could perform any given task above standard. He's one of the best Soldiers I have seen," Huber said.
Even as a specialist, Penman always helped fellow Soldiers around him, and continues to do so as a sergeant.
"He likes to work in a team. Even if he knows what he's doing, he doesn't completely take over. He coaches and teaches," Resch said.
Huber described him as a people person. He is very open-minded, Huber said. "He takes in the whole before he makes a decision or a judgment," he said.
As the months of the deployment go by, Penman continues to work on his books, saving some money and keeping his fellow mechanics in good spirits.
"He always has funny stories to tell," Huber said.
He is a comedian, but knows when to take things seriously, he said.
"He is one of those guys, if you give him a task to do, you don't have to go check, and it will be done at the end of the day. If he does finish early, he will come back and ask you what he needs to do next," Resch said.
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| Date Taken: | 01.26.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2006 10:38 |
| Story ID: | 5210 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 542 |
| Downloads: | 233 |
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