Email   Print   Share By Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Command Sergeant Major

Facebook Digg Delicious July 5, 2012 | Editorial

Tuesday III Corps and Fort Hood completed the first class of our air assault course. Those who graduated earned the Air Assault Badge and demonstrated their willingness and motivation to exceed the standard. I’m extremely proud of their accomplishment and equally as proud of our air assault cadre for their professionalism and commitment to their profession.

Those who participated in this 10-day course walk away with more than just a badge. They have proven to themselves that they are capable, both mentally and physically, of performing some of the most demanding and important tasks in the Army today – air assault operations. The movement of personnel and equipment via rotary-wing aircraft on the battlefield is completely driven by attention to detail. Lives and the arrival of life-saving equipment and supplies are literally at stake during these operations.

That attention to detail starts on Zero Day with the obstacle course, carries over to combat assault operations, then on to slingload operations and rappelling. Finally, a Soldier’s mettle is tested during the 12-mile road march. This is one of the most demanding courses that the Army offers. I am proud to have attended, and I wear that badge with pride.

Beyond pride, this training focuses the Soldier like a laser, and the training is career enhancing, as well. Without a doubt, this will set them apart from their peers when it comes time for promotion.

Now that these Soldiers have graduated and earned that badge, they will go back to their respective units here at the Great Place. Make no mistake about it, they will have a positive impact on the Soldiers around them and their units as a whole. Soldiers with an increased sense of discipline and pride can’t help but to have an effect on those around them and on the successful completion of the missions assigned to them.

Leaders, take notice and take advantage of this leader and Soldier development opportunity. We will continue to offer this course here at the Great Place and you need to make sure you are sending your best, brightest and most highly-motivated Soldiers to this course. If it hurts to lose someone from your squad or platoon for 10 days, then you are probably picking the right person to send. It’s an opportunity they deserve and have earned. Send them.

Sending your troops to the air assault course, and others like it, is a small part of the big-picture plan for leadership development. It starts at the squad and platoon on every post in the Army. If we, as leaders, are sending our junior Soldiers to the schools they need and deserve, we are creating a better Army for the future – an Army of well-trained, highly-motivated, mentally-focused, physically strong, tactically sound Soldiers. That’s the kind of Army I want to be in, and that’s the kind of Army I want to leave for the next generation.

Congratulations to graduates of this first cycle. What you did, not everyone can do. What you learned, not everyone can learn. Wear your Air Assault Badge with pride.

Last, but not least, a big thank you to the Fort Hood Air Assault School cadre for their hard work and professionalism making Class 001-12 a success.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!