The experiences and lessons learned during my deployment as a Camp Commandant for a Combined Joint Task Force in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom are not new concepts. My experiences reinforced much of what I had learned throughout my career...
In keeping with the Global War on Terrorism and Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) President George Bush ordered the mobilization of National Guard Soldiers to be placed on the US/Mexico border in May of2006. As the mobilizations NCOIC; I conducted the...
We, as Noncommissioned Officers, carry with us the experience of our numerous assignments throughout our careers. Those experiences, both good and bad, shape the way we view our Soldiers, peers, superiors, and execute our Military Occupational...
This paper details some key events, activities, observant views, and lessons learned during the deployment of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, Hawaii Army National Guard in 2008 to Camp Patriot, Kuwait Naval Base (KNB), Kuwait in support...
This paper describes some events and lessons learned during my deployment to Baghdad. Iraq 2007. I have when possible listed the events in chronological orders as they happen. I will discuss the problems encountered while conducting embedded...
In October 1992, SGM Richard Cortes deployed to Thailand for Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) Balance Torch 1-93. He was a new member of Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 114. His story will tell of how his Team Sergeant, a senior Special...
I was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of approximately ten Recruiting and Retention NCO's. This team was unproductive, lacked motivation, failed to operate as a team and had not met their Recruiting mission for years. The previous...
This paper is to serve as a brief synopsis of my experience while deployed with Tiger Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) III. I discuss events as they occurred chronologically from just prior...
During the months of August 1990 through March of 1991 I participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Iraq. This story tells of how my unit was trained, mobilized, and conducted combat operations.
The Army defines itself by influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization in FM 6-22. I define it as ensuring the small things are taken care of - ensuring...
In October of 2009, 128 personnel from the 1st and 4th Joint Communications Support Squadron's (JCS) along with six personnel from the Communications Support Detachment (CSD) in the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) were assembled under a...
This paper will cover three important factors that have led to the Empowerment of the American Noncommissioned officers over time. The U.S. Army NCO Corps directs and guides by example, teaches and prepares soldiers from experience, sustains and...
The focus of the personal experience paper is to outline the changes I have witnessed in the United States Army over my 25-year career. These changes have come in many forms and I will focus on the changes in missions, equipment and the individual...
This personal experience paper does not cover one isolated event but my career experience as a whole. The personal experiences that I have had over the last 28 years have helped shape and mold my leadership philosophy and how I conduct myself...
Our mission was simple, “deploy to Iraq for twelve months to train the Iraqi National Police (INP),” or so we thought during training and preparation at Fort Riley, Kansas. The 3-7-2 National Police Transition Team (NPTT) consisted of one LTC,...
With a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastating the country of Haiti in January 2010, the U.S. military along with various organizations from countries around the world responded by providing assistance to the island nation. The mission of the Joint...
In January of 2007, I held the rank of Master Sergeant assigned to IIIIC 213th Area Support Group (ASG), Pennsylvania Army National Guard in the duty position of Chemical Operations Sergeant. At that time, the unit was preparing to mobilize in...
During the period of 1 October 2004 to 10 April 2005, I SFC David Callahan, was charged by the Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander, to establish a Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) for the Colorado Army National Guard (COARNG). Reduction...
This narrative discusses the experiences, challenges, and obstacles I encountered while trying to unify the goals, professional development strategy, and progression model for the 35Y/L MOS while serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Career...
In February 2009, the 628'" Aviation Support Battalion (628'" AS B) was called into active duty in support of operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11 (OIF 09-11). The mission of the ASB was to provide dedicated logistical support for the 28th Combat Aviation...