A New Transportation asset

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. John P. Sellen, a platoon sergeant with the 15th Transportation Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Dayton, Ohio, native, speaks to one of his squad leaders, Staff Sgt. Ashly Martin, a Columbia, Mo., native, as she prepares her cargo on a flat bed trailer prior to a mission Aug. 15 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stacey Jelks)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

08.24.2010

Courtesy Story

103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

By 1st Lt. Steven Clements
15th Transportation Company Unit Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq— Soldiers with the 15th Transportation Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, received a welcomed addition to their team: a new platoon sergeant with deployment experience.

Staff Sgt. John P. Sellen, a Dayton, Ohio, native, is one of 15th Trans. Company’s newest additions. In the midst of convoys and transportation missions, Sellen joined his new, currently deployed unit. Sellen fell in on his assigned position as platoon sergeant of 1st platoon without having the opportunity to train with them prior to their deployment. He quickly assessed his platoon and began initiating improvements.

He was able to smoothly transition because of his 19 years of experience in the U.S. Army. Sellen said that he had planned on retiring next year, but his retirement packet was denied. He was needed here in Iraq instead. He doesn’t express any disappointment, and he drives on as hard as ever.

“Positive motivation is contagious,” said Sellen. “It’s my job to motivate these soldiers to accomplish any task which they otherwise might not want to do.”

Sellen is an outstanding addition to the unit, and he has a distinguished service record. He joined the Army in 1990 and has served in many different positions. He has served in numerous assignments both in the U.S. and overseas, including combat tours during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sellen has received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge and Driver’s Badge.

Sellen has also been recommended for acceptance in the prestigious Military Order of Saint Christopher for his superb contributions to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. In addition to his service record, he maintains a commanding presence, looks professional at all times and consistently scores perfect or nearly perfect performance on the Army Physical Fitness Test. He sets the example for others to emulate as a professional NCO.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2010
• Date Posted: 08.30.2010 07:41
• Story ID: 55388
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ