MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS BRIDGE SECTION SERGEANT, 671ST ENGINEER COMPANY (MRBC) FROM 01 NOVEMBER 2010 TO 01 AUGUST 2011. STAFF SERGEANT SANTIAGO SACRIFICED COUNTLESS HOURS OF HIS PERSONAL TIME TO ASSIST WITH THE 671ST ENGINEER COMPANY'S BRIDGING MISSION. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE STAGING OF MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR DRY SPAN BRIDGING EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR RELOCATION OPERATIONS FROM PORTLAND, OREGON TO A TEXAS UNIT MOBILIZING IN SUPPORT OF OEF. CONSISTENTLY TAKING THE INITIATIVE, SSG SANTIAGO IMPLEMENTED INVENTORY AND IDENTIFICATION OPERATIONS FOR THE 2ND BRIDGE PLATOON'S VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT, ADDRESSED PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ACTIONS FOR THE DRY SPAN BRIDGE AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE INITIAL PLANNING OF THE RELOCATION OF IMPROVED RIBBON BRIDGE EQUIPMENT TO PM BRIDGING FROM EVERETT, WASHINGTON TO BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON. SERGEANT SANTIAGO'S PROFESSIONALISM IS IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE AND REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIM, THE 671ST ENGINEER COMPANY (MRBC) AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS BRIDGE CREWMAN, 576th ENGINEER COMPANY FROM 02 SEPTEMBER 2012 TO 10 SEPTEMBER 2012. DURING THIS PERIOD, SPECIALIST HOLLANDER, A BRIDGE CREWMAN, STEPPED UP TO TAKE ON EXTRA SHIFTS DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF EQUIPMENT OPERATORS. HE EXPERTLY OPERATED THE 966 BUCKET LOADER, A VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF HIS MOS, FOR 36 HOURS AT BRIDGE 1035 ON HIGHWAY 1 TO CREATE ABUTMENTS FOR THE EMPLACEMENT OF A MABEY BRIDGE. HIS EXPERTISE ON THE 966 BUCKET LOADER ALLOWED THE PLATOON TO FINISH THE MISSION 12 HOURS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE WITHOUT INJURY OR EQUIPMENT LOSS. SPECIALIST HOLLANDER'S PERFORMANCE BRINGS DISTINCT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 576th ENGINEER COMPANY AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
