Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Major Edward E. Estep, sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 320th Field...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer
2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment Public Affairs Office
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq – Seven Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, were some of the first artillerymen in the Army to receive battlefield promotions on June 1 at Logistical Support Area Anaconda, Iraq.
The "Redlegs", who fall under the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), received the battlefield promotions under a new program that allows enlisted Soldiers to be promoted based on extraordinary performance during combat.
"The battlefield promotion program is designed to accelerate those Soldiers that willingly and unhesitatingly accept and flawlessly perform at levels of increased responsibility in the combat environment," said Command Sgt. Major Edward E. Estep, battalion sergeant major for the 2-320th.
The battlefield promotions are a one-year pilot program that was quietly introduced in military personnel (MILPER) message 08-094 dated April 1. It's set to expire April 9, 2009.
According to the MILPER message, the program allows enlisted Soldiers up to the rank of staff sergeant, to be promoted based on extraordinary performance of duties while serving in combat or under combat conditions.
"The intent is to promote Soldiers that distinguish themselves from their peers and for those that have performed at the next higher level," added Estep.
For Sgt. Maria E. Manzo, a petroleum heavy vehicle operator with the battalion's Forward Support Company, being one of the first seven Soldiers in the battalion to receive the battlefield promotion was a very memorable and honorable experience.
"All the hard work seems to have payed off; it's a real honor to become a non-commissioned officer today," said Manzo.
Manzo was the first in the battalion to receive a battlefield promotion to sergeant. She's been in the Army over 42 months.
"I've been trying really hard to add more points, and I'm just so proud that it finally happened. It really feels like everything is worth it," smiled Manzo.
Estep acknowledged that hard-working Soldiers like Manzo are exactly the reason why this program was established.
He added, "What makes this program so great is that it isn't about an military occupational specialty here ... it's about Soldiers getting recognized for their outstanding service while deployed."
In the future, Estep is hoping more "Balls of the Eagle" Soldiers can receive battlefield promotions under the program, but only for those Soldiers who are truly deserving of the promotion.
"It's great these Soldiers are being recognized for their total performance. It's about time the Army did something like this," said Estep.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2008 01:16 |
| Story ID: | 20166 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 339 |
| Downloads: | 263 |
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