While serving as a OC/T at JRTC from March 2023 to May 2024, SSG Ivey expertly coached 10 Active Duty Infantry Platoons and two Army National Guard Infantry Platoons. In this capacity, SSG Ivey mentored platoon-level leaders on the fundamentals of unit, tactics and utilization of heavy weapon systems in Large Scale Combat Operation environments. SSG Ivey's expert mentorship, doctrinal knowledge, and expertise had a far-reaching impact, directly improving the proficiency and lethality of 12 maneuver platoons across the Total Army.
For meritorious service as Observer Controller Trainer supporting Red Dragon 2014. During her tenure as an OC/T, she distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious service, demonstrating to all that she is a professional Soldier, dedicated to excellence in her field of expertise. A team player focused on results, Staff Sergeant Delaware sought new opportunities and ways to enhance and improve battalion operations and integrate these methods into training and evaluation. Her untiring efforts and Can Do attitude were indispensable elements in the success of the exercise and her mentoring and coaching skills guided the team of junior leaders to efficiently evaluate training and improve mission readiness. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Delaware reflect credit upon herself, 479th CBRNE Battalion and the United States Army.
For outstanding achievement as Observer Controller Trainer during Rapid Trident 2017. SFC Kessler, due to his experience and maturity, was selected to oversee and supervise the OC/Ts participating in Rapid Trident 2017, a 15 nation, multinational joint exercise conducted at Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine (JMTG-U). SFC Kessler's professionalism and ability to work with other NATO countries and the Ukrainian Army optimized training opportunities and was an indispensable element in validating the training of all units involved. SFC Kessler's dedication and devotion to duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Army and reflects great credit upon himself, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment and the United States Army.
For meritorious achievement as an Observer Controller Trainer while assigned to the 1-338th Training Support Battalion (TSBn). SSG Taylor's outstanding professional skill, knowledge, and leadership aided immeasurably in completing Situational Training Exercises (STX) and Mission Readiness Exercises (MRE) with the 900th QM Company during the 2013 WAREX at Fort McCoy, WI. During the exercises, SSG Taylor coordinated Operation Orders (OPORD), vehicles, ammunition, OPFOR, radio communications, training scenarios and After Action Reviews (AAR). His detailed and accurate efforts facilitated tough, realistic training unsurpassed by other OC/Ts during the WAREX. SSG Taylor's performance brings great credit upon himself, the 1-338th TSBn, the 181st INF BDE and the United States Army.
SFC Fisher distinguished himself by exceptionally superior service serving as an Observer Coach/Mentor with ___ Battalion, ____ Infantry Regiment from _date_ to _date_. During this period SFC Fisher provided collective training to multiple Multi-service Combat Support and Combat Service Support (CS/CSS) Reserve and National Guard units preparing to deploy in support of worldwide contingency operations. He has also served as an instructor for the First Army Academy at Camp Shelby Mississippi.
SFC Fisher stood out amongst 200 Observer Coach/Mentors being recognized by the exercise branch chief for outstanding support during USARNORTH's Vibrant Response ___ exercise where multiple elements from the Department of Defense's Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear Response Enterprise of ___ persons consisting of __ weapons of mass destruction civil support teams, __ Homeland response teams and the Federal Emergency Response Agency to confirm their operational and tactical capabilities.
SFC Fisher's expertise in small arms, and crew served weapons marksmanship greatly enhanced a program of instruction where over ___ small arms live fire marksmanship ranges were executed and more than __ un-stabilized platform gunnery ranges were conducted resulting in over 5,000 Service members from of all branches of the armed services being trained, ready, and capable to deploy in support of worldwide contingency operations.
SFC Fisher's dedication to mission accomplishment contributed to the development and implementation of numerous Training Support Packages (TSP) for weapons marksmanship, un-stabilized platform gunnery and the EST 2000 system. These TSPs became the standard for all training within the Mobilization deployment timeline for non-combat MOSs from the Air Force, ARNG, Army Reserve, NA VY, and COAST GUARD, to ensure they were ready and capable to accomplish their war-time tasks when called upon.
SFC Welch's expertise as an Infantryman served him well as an Observer Coach Trainer (OC/T). During his time as an OC/T, he was instrumental to the Battalion's success in training over 7,500 Soldiers in individual tasks ensuring the combat readiness and effectiveness of their units to complete their respective missions. While serving as an OC/T he also completed Crew Master Gunner course, Equal Opportunity Management Course, Master Resilience Training (MRT) Course, and the Unit Prevention Leader course.
SFC Welch was selected over 13 of his peers to fill the position as Current Operations NCO in the Battalion S-3 Section due to his superior knowledge, expertise, and organization. He was responsible for producing weekly FRAGOs and ensuring that all the BN taskings were completed. He earned an impeccable reputation with the BDE Operations Sergeant Major for completion of all tasks on time and above standard. He was also the approving authority for the BN Defense Travel System, managing ten million dollars without any discrepancies.
SFC Welch served as the BN Operation Sergeant Major for 90 days which resulted in 100% success rate for all internal and external missions, while providing outstanding advice to the BN Operations Officer. He aggressively battle tracked two Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercises at Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Drum, New York. SFC Welch also served as the Battalion primary MRT instructor, and planned and instructed training on a monthly basis for 200 Soldiers which increased the battalion's resiliency as a whole.
SFC Welch maintained a high level of situational awareness and personal readiness during his tenure at Fort Drum. He consistently placed in the top 10% of APFT scores within the Battalion, maintaining an average of 290, completed the 12 mile footmarch under three hours, and twice completed a 35 Mile footmarch with the __ ID of the PAANG. He was also appointed to the Fitness Committee by BN Commander where he advised the Battalion Commander on ways to improve the Battalion's overall fitness level.
