Courtesy Photo | First Sgt. Matthew B. Northen stands with his Harley Davidson Fatboy motorcycle in the...... read more read more
By Spc. Bryce S. Dubee
Third U.S. Army Public Affairs
FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. - The smell of fresh paint and cleaning products greets you as you enter the doors of the Third U.S. Army Headquarters and Headquarters Company. As one Soldier puts away a drop cloth used for painting, another Soldier wipes down windows near the entrance of the building. Newly painted walls and clean windows aren't the only changes going on at the HHC however, they also have a new first sergeant.
On Jan. 20, 2006, 1st Sgt. Matthew B. Northen assumed responsibility of the company, replacing 1st Sgt. Byron E. Brown.
"HHC has one main job," said Northen. "To provide support to Third Army when and where they need it."
Northen said he plans to help make HHC even better at its job by ensuring Third Army Soldiers get the training and services they need from the company.
"Third Army has an important mission, and with a split headquarters here in Georgia and in Kuwait, that means a lot of deployments and hard work for everyone," he said.
But Northen wouldn't have it any other way.
Having waited nearly two years for the first sergeant position at HHC to become available, Northen said that he looks forward to serving with "Patton's Own." This position should be second nature to him having previously served as a first sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
"I would never want to be stuck in a position where I wouldn't have the chance to be around Soldiers," said Northen.
All signs point to a smooth transition for Northen from the G3/5/7 operations sergeant major for the past two-and-a-half years at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) to HHC.
"One good part about only having to move across the street," he said, "is that I get to work with my new family here at Third Army while still staying in touch with my FORSCOM family."
Northen said he enjoys being at Fort McPherson, and while the installation may be small compared to places such as Fort Bragg, the surrounding community of Atlanta more than makes up for it.
"There are so many things to see and do in Atlanta and the surrounding area," said Northen. "I encourage every Soldier to take advantage of the activities available to them in this area."
In his spare time Northen said he tries to stay active. As far as sports are concerned, he said he has tried almost every one and even, 'tried it twice, just to make sure I didn't like it."
These days, Northen says he spends his free time trying to improve his golf game and riding his Harley Davidson Fatboy. However, his main focus outside of work is to his wife, who "means everything to me."
As the first sergeant settles into his role at HHC, Northen said he will strive toward making the company the best it can be.
From a new paint job at the company headquarters to improving efficiency at the rifle range, a new first sergeant means new changes and fresh faces for Third U.S. Army HHC.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2006 16:50 |
| Story ID: | 5454 |
| Location: | FORT MACPHERSON, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 97 |
This work, New first sergeant rides into Third Army, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
