Michigan National Guard Battery Commander Good as Gold

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Miller | Soldiers assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 119th Artillery Regiment, Michigan National Guard, give Capt. Avery an ice water bath at the end of the field training exercise during the eXportable Combat Training Capability Exercise, held at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, in Grayling, Mich., July 20, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremy Miller/Released)  

GRAYLING, MI, UNITED STATES

07.20.2014

Story by Sgt. Jeremy Miller 

Michigan National Guard

GRAYLING, Mich. - Capt. Delbert Avery, commander of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment, knew this was going to be his last annual training. As he stood with his Soldiers, face beaming with pride during each of the gun crew and battery pictures, he humbly reflected on the honorable task of leading Bravo Battery in back to back years of earning the Battalion Artillery Award.

The artillery award was instituted by Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Meyers and is given to the battery with the best score of the 35 designated metrics, a one through five for each individual category, which emphasizes overall unit readiness and retention. It’s a polished steel replica of the .39 cal., 155 millimeter M777A1 howitzer round, has a nose cone and two bands wrapping around the award, which are Gold plated.

Avery had been an enlisted Soldier for 20 years before branching as an officer, and took command of Bravo Battery after deploying to the Middle East in 2011. His leadership style has allowed the reciprocation of trust and respect through the ranks, which has given non commissioned officers the autonomy and authority to build their subordinates knowledge, skills, and abilities, ultimately increasing combat readiness and efficiency.

Avery describes his time being a battery commander as the most rewarding job he has had in his military career, and cares tremendously for his soldiers.

“Each and every Joe is family and has great worth in the unit. If I can give that family love in the unit, it’s worth it, they are all equally important to me,” said Avery.

• Date Taken: 07.20.2014
• Date Posted: 07.24.2014 09:53
• Story ID: 137123
• Location: GRAYLING, MI, US