First Sergeant

As the Deputy Exercise Director for the 86th Training Division, I was responsible for training and assessing military units as required by directives and standard operating procedures through assigned large-scale exercises that average over 90 organizations, 4,500 Soldiers, and $3.2 million in expenditures. Safety is a primary concern during training, so I emplaced a strong safety program that prevented major safety incidents. Providing the most realistic and demanding training possible is the…

many transfers of authority, our Company had inherited several enduring operations in the relieving process. One of those operations, a regularly scheduled and repetitive leadership meeting (Shura) at the village District Center, would be among our first patrols conducted within our new Area of Operation (AO). It was during my Platoon’s execution of this mission at an unavoidably predictable location that the enemy in our AO cashed in their vote with catastrophic results. In living my “worst…

Approximately 1130 I received a phone call from Master Gunnery Sergeant Hernandez informing me that my name was on the Urinalysis Roster. I informed the Master Gunnery Sergeant Hernandez that I had my daughter with me and didn’t have alternative child care, but that I would but able to make it to the urinalysis before 1400. At this point I realize now that i should have told my…

Non-Commissioned Officers are the backbone of the Marine Corps. They are the vital link in ensuring Marines under their charge are trained, and exceed proficiency in the occupational specialty. Marine non-commissioned officers provide and assist their Marines in professional development, they enforce the physical and mental standards in junior Marines through small unit leadership. Non-Commissioned Officers are responsible for their men and their actions, and the Marine non-commissioned officer…

2015. The numerous challenges offered, world-class education taught, exciting career after graduation, military lifestyle, job security, and an opportunity to serve my nation as a prepared and moral officer ready to face the challenges of the twenty-first century while following the famous words of Rikki Rogers, “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming things you once thought you…

village. My squad only had about nine of us, so we were not initially part of the main element to go in and assault the village. However, as we started creeping up to the first obstacle, a fence, helicopters started patrolling for us again. The engineers blew some of the fencing and threw smoke in so we could run through the first few complexes. We split up in to two teams of four plus one squad leader. We started running in to the buildings, clearing every room and every corner looking for bad…

The most important role in leadership is a noncommissioned officer. Noncommissioned officer or should we say “NCO” has been a very important factor in the United States Army, for a very long time and is known to be the back bone of the Army. Respecting the noncommissioned officer in the army is critical. They have been carefully selected to train and guide soldiers to the right path. A noncommissioned officer has mastered all the basic soldier skills they have earned their respect by serving in…

I, David W. Pierce II, was born in Memphis, TN on September 20th, 1979. I earned my high school diploma from Chester W. Nimitz High School out of Irving, TX. In my short time being at the Zama Field Office, I have taken a Japanese 101 course, and continually strive to better my language proficiency. I entered the U.S. Army on October 15th, 2009. I successfully completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, GA with Alpha Company (CO), 2nd Battalion (BTN) 19th Infantry Regiment (REG),…

1. I am submitting this memorandum of Character Reference on behalf of 1SG Katrina Richardson. 2. I am currently assigned to USMEPCOM, however I served with 1SG Richardson while I was assigned to the 8th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC). 1SG Richardson was assigned to the command during my second year in 8th TSC. I am not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the GOMOR and in no way do I condone anything 1SG Richardson is reprimanded for, however, I can say during the time I served…

which were marked so perfectly on the asphalt at forty-five degree angles. With sweat seeping out of my face and heart pounding so fast it felt like I was having a heart attack. The recruits and myself had just exercised immediate compliance to our first order in the United States Marine Corps. United States Marine Corps recruit training is the hardest U.S. military indoctrinatory exercises and is famous/infamous for its training tactics. With that being said, from day one to include…