CENTCOM CSM Visits with soldiers of the 371st SB

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly Hill | Command Sgt. Maj. Frank A, Grippe, the U.S. CENTCOM command sergeant major speaks with Command Sgt. Maj. Rebecca J. Herzog, an Upper Arlington, Ohio native and the battalion command sergeant major for the 371st Special Troops Battalion, 371st Sustainment Brigade on the deck of the James A. Loux (LSV-6) at Kuwait Naval Base on Aug. 7, 2013.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

08.10.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill 

371st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Command Sgt. Maj. Frank A. Grippe, the U.S. CENTCOM command sergeant major, visited with troops of the 371st Sustainment Brigade Aug. 6-8, 2013 at military installations throughout Kuwait.

The visit, which included a trip to the theater gateway at Camp Arifjan, the operations center for the Army Watercraft Company (Provisional) and the James A. Loux (LSV-6) at Kuwait Naval Base, gave the soldiers an opportunity to ask the command sergeant major questions and learn about the importance of the U.S. military role in the region.

“I go where the commander can’t, and carry the commander’s voice to the lowest level in theater,” said Grippe.

On the final day of his visit, Grippe met with soldiers of the 371st SB at Camp Arifjan and toured the operation centers of the battalions in the area.

“It was a great honor to meet Command Sgt. Maj. Grippe and definitely not your everyday experience,” said Sgt. Corey R. Brinkman, an operations sergeant with the 371st SB who received the CENTCOM coin of excellence from Grippe during his visit.

Brinkman received the coin after sharing his own experiences in Afghanistan where he was deployed in 2012 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

“I am always humbled to share my experiences with those who can relate or who have been in similar situations,” said the Columbus Grove, Ohio native. “CSM Grippe is also a recipient of the very same award.”

After the tour, the CENTCOM command sergeant major spoke with and mentored noncommissioned officers about the importance of the mission in the central command region and the stressed the importance of taking care of one another.

“We need to do the right thing and take care of each other, and treat each other with dignity and respect,” Grippe said.

• Date Taken: 08.10.2013
• Date Posted: 08.14.2013 09:24
• Story ID: 111930
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW