Served the S1 section commendably throughout his tenure with the Brigade. While serving as an HR Specialist for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team S1, Fort Riley, Kansas from 14 September 2020 to 20 January 2022, Specialist John Baker's initiative and commitment to the mission assisted senior leaders across the Brigade with critical administrative actions. His duties included Personnel Actions for Officers and Enlisted, Award Processing, weekly report updates, iPERMS, record reviews, and DEERS/RAPIDS assistance. Specialist Baker's exemplary handling of administrative actions attest to his professional knowledge, responsibility, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to shifting mission requirements. As senior HR Specialist, he trained and qualified four Soldiers in his section on multiple personnel actions including Awards, Military Education, iPERMS, and Suspension of Favorable Personnel actions. Specialist Baker's advice, assistance and resourcefulness were often sought after as a direct result of the professionalism and mature judgment he displayed. Deeply involved in all facets of S1, he took charge, made sound recommendations and decisions and always led by positive example. His stalwart actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.
FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AS A MASTER MICROSOFT WORD EXPERT, G-37 USASOC HQ, WHILE EMPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION FIX MSG CLARK'S PDF FROM 8 SEP 2021 TO 8 SEP 2021. UPON ARRIVAL, LTC WILLIAM WALLACE IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR AND ESTABLISHED THE FIRST EVER OPERATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE CUBICLE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, BLDG 2929, BRINGING ORDER AND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS TO A CHAOTIC ENVIRONMENT. HIS ACTIONS STREAMLINED OPERATIONS AND BROUGHT THE DEPARTMENT INTO US ARMY FORMATTING REGULATION COMPLIANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE UNIT. HIS VALIANT EFFORTS PRODUCED THE HIGHEST QUALITY WORD DOCUMENTS THE ARMY HAS SEEN IN THREE YEARS AND WAS CRITICAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY PERSONNEL AND MISSION SUCCESS. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF LTC WALLACE BRING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE USASOC G-37 AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS THE S1 NCOIC IN CHARGE OF ALL PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS FOR THE 153D LEGAL OPERATIONS DETACHMENT FROM JULY 2018 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2021. FACED WITH MOUNTING CHALLENGES, A QUICKENED OPERATIONAL TEMPO, AND ADDITIONAL READINESS REQUIREMENTS AS A READY FORCE UNIT, SERGEANT CLARK'S SUPERB PERFORMANCE, UNCOMMON DEDICATION TO DUTY, AND EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS DEMOSTRATES A PERSONAL COMMITTMENT THAT REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 153RD LEGAL OPERATIONS DETACHMENT AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
Specialist Newton's guidance and expertise were indispensable during the preparation of the 165th Brigade's virtual classrooms to meet COVID-19 requirements. His diligence and attention to detail were crucial to the stand up of virtual classrooms to comply with social distancing rules and ensured there were no lapses in training for BCT recruits.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SPC Newton, despite being undermanned, helped lead a section that was manned at only 33% to tremendous success. In addition, he served as 165th BDE S-6 NCOIC during a manning shortfall and sustained the mission while meeting all suspenses.
SPC Newton led the S-6 section by example. He provided the guidance and attitude that influenced his section to provide good customer service. His work ethic ensured his section would be operationally effective with minimal leadership oversight or involvement. He often worked outside of duty hours to ensure his section was never without coverage.
SPC Newton demonstrated a pattern of outstanding performance during the preparation for and transition to civilian telework, assisting with the new virtual meetings and teleconferences. He also facilitated award and decoration ceremonies under COVID-19 conditions.
FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS THE ARMY RESERVE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE 412TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY DURING THE BATTALION'S SOLDIER READINESS PROCESSING EVENT FROM 8 APRIL TO 9 SEPTEMBER 2018. STAFF SERGEANT MARK SHIELDS' ASTUTE ATTENTION TO DETAIL RESULTED IN 177 SOLDIERS BEING PROCESSED AND AN INCREASED MEDICAL READINESS FOR THE BATTALION. SSG SHIELDS' ABILITY TO COORDINATE AND LIAISON WITH OUTSIDE UNITS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WAS A KEY FACTOR IN THE SUCCESS OF THE UNIT DURING THIS TIME. STAFF SERGEANT SHIELDS' ACTIONS BRING CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 412TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION (AIRBORNE) AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
FOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SERVING AS THE 404TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION (AIRBORNE) BATTALION HUMAN RESOURCES NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN CHARGE FROM 20 JULY 2018 TO 30 APRIL 2019. STAFF SERGEANT SHIELDS IS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS EFFORTS IN COMPLETING MUTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS WITH DEMANDING REQUIREMENTS AND FOR PROVIDING STRONG LEADERSHIP TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE S-1 SECTION. HIS PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 404TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION (AIRBORNE), THE NONCOMMISSONED OFFICER CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE.
FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE PERFORMING AS THE 385TH SIGNAL COMPANY ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. SERGEANT KEEN'S EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE MADE A SUPERIOR IMPACT ON THE LIVES AND WELFARE OF MORE THAN 900 SOLDIERS AND THE OVERALL OPERATIONAL SUCCESS OF THE ORGANIZATION. HIS DEDICATED SERVICE REFLECTS TREMENDOUS CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 54TH SIGNAL BATTALION AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AS THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION INFORMATION OPERATIONS CENTER (NCRIOC) LEADER IN THE 2015 DEFENSE CYBER CRIME CENTER (DC3) DIGITAL FORENSICS CHALLENGE. CW3 EWING DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, INITIATIVE, TEAMWORK, AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE BY EARNING FIRST PLACE ACROSS ALL U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL MILITARY TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DC3 CHALLENGE. CW3 EWING'S EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE EMBODIES THE BEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE AND REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION INFORMATION OPERATIONS CENTER AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE.
