Soldiers compete at the 19th ESC quarterly board

Photo By Sgt. Dong-weon Kim | Command Sgt. Maj. Robert F. Austin, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command command sergeant major, and Sgt. Maj. Childers, 19th ESC G-1 sergeant major, interview and grade candidates for the quarterly board Jan. 14 at Camp Henry.  

27, SOUTH KOREA

01.14.2014

Story by Cpl. Dong-weon Kim 

19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

DAEGU, South Korea - The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) hosted its 2014 quarterly board, recognizing and awarding three exemplary soldiers from Area IV units for their distinguished performances on Jan. 14 at Camp Henry.

The quarterly board organized by the board president, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert F. Austin, 19th ESC command sergeant major, is hosted every quarter of the year. Its primary function is to acknowledge soldiers of the 19th ESC and its subordinate units for their military professionalism and thorough preparation with their leaders.

“Soldiers gain confidence for future service after participating at events such as the quarterly board,” Austin said. “Soldiers learn through studying the military culture and gain appreciation of the Army at high levels.”

A squad of soldiers in their sharp and clean Army Service Uniform (ASU) was in formation in front of the Daegu Community Room in the morning. Their facial expressions evidently portrayed that they had butterflies in their stomach. It surely was a big day to appeal their profound military knowledge and excellence to their senior leaders.

Loud knocks from the first candidate, Sgt. Jason C. Weaver, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 25th Transportation Battalion movement Non-commissioned officer (NCO), officially started this quarter’s board. Four sergeants major including Austin, the board president, were seated right in front of the candidate forming a tense atmosphere.

Board members asked the same questions to all the candidates at the beginning of the event, “what is your short term and long term goal?” The sergeants major were inquisitive of how logically the soldiers articulate themselves.

For most of the soldiers, their goals were to be promoted to a senior position as honorable leaders. Apparently, the board members were the role models for the candidates and the quarterly board maybe an extended road bridging them to their dreams.

Each board member asked three to four questions regarding military knowledge such as land navigation, drill and ceremonies, customs and courtesies and more. Besides academic interviews, the sergeant majors approached the soldiers as a mentor of life providing precious pieces of advice that will be treasured until they grow and stand at a leadership position.

A Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) was the last soldier to knock on the door, ending the quarterly board. Pfc. Kim Do-hyung, HHD, 25th Transportation Battalion S-1 movement specialist, who has been in the Army since March, exclaimed that this competition was distinctly a worthwhile opportunity for him to broaden his insight and thrive as a core military member of the U.S. Army.

“In preparation for the KATUSA of the quarter board, I studied about a month in advance,” Kim said. “The meaning I fell this has to KATUSAs is that it helps us become more familiar with the leadership styles and training in the U.S. Army.”

Sgt. Hassan B. Walker, United States Army Corrections Activity – Korea (USACA-K) S-1 finance technician, Walker and Kim were the winners for the quarterly board. They were awarded coins and prizes for their outstanding achievements from Austin and will best represent the 19th ESC in a disciplinary and humble manner.

Winners will gain credit and admiration amongst their peers and will continue this journey and compete at a greater level. They will write a new history for the 19th ESC once they win the yearly board and even further, the 8th Army board.

The 19th ESC has bred three promising leaders who have executed their military profession with their utmost efforts. “Team 19, sergeants major” was the last quote that the soldiers proudly wailed as they rendered their final salute. Winners of this quarter’s board will eagerly fight at an even more competitive environment, arriving at a point where they will one day be dynamic role models of the Army, embedding confidence and trust to soldiers.

• Date Taken: 01.14.2014
• Date Posted: 03.06.2014 01:19
• Story ID: 121559
• Location: 27, KR