What makes you Army strong?

Photo By Sgt. Jesse Smith | The brigade command sergeant major of the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Estevan Sotorosado, talks with his senior noncommissioned officers from 4-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion about what it means to be a Soldier.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

11.24.2014

Story by Sgt. Jesse Smith 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- In the Army Soldiers are told to be motivated, dedicated, and disciplined, but what does that mean?

For some Soldiers that might mean being at the right place at the right time in the right uniform, and for others it might mean being physically fit or knowing your job inside and out. There are many different ways a Soldier can feel he is being the best he can be. No matter what motivation these Soldiers use they should feel proud of the sacrifice they have made for their country.

Senior non-commissioned officers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division were able to meet and talk about what they as senior noncommissioned officers expect from their soldiers and the junior noncommissioned officers that are supposed to lead those Soldiers. They were able also to talk about how Soldiers should feel about their service and what future Soldiers should know about being in the Army.

Soldiers always wonder exactly what it is their leaders are looking for, in order for them to get promoted. Command Sgt. Maj. Estevan Sotorosado, the Brigade Command Sergeant Major of 2nd CAB, 2nd Infantry Division, believes that a big part of getting promoted is that Soldiers need to have the knowledge required to do their job. He said that knowing their own jobs allows them to gain more respect and trust from their Soldiers, peers and leaders.

“If you are not knowledgeable on your job, people are going to pass you by and you are going to lose credibility,” he said.

Developing yourself is a big part of moving up in the ranks, said Master Sgt. Claudia Inigo, the operations noncommissioned officer in charge for the 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd CAB, 2nd Infantry Division, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. That development ranges from physical fitness to college education and everything in between. Soldiers have to take the personal initiative to make themselves the best in their own squad, team or section.

On top of Soldiers taking their own initiative, they are entitled also to outstanding leadership, said Command Sgt. Maj. Sotorosado. He said Soldiers can go to him if they feel like they are not receiving the leadership they deserve and he will make that change.

Junior leaders need to provide guidance and training based on the experience and capabilities of their Soldiers said Command Sgt. Maj. Sotorosado. Not all Soldiers are at same point and each one needs a different level of guidance, but each one deserves their leaders best.
Leaders have always set the standards for their Soldiers. The higher you set the standard the better you make those Soldiers, said the Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, Command Sgt. Maj. Lepharis Baker, a native of Mulberry, Florida. If you go to an Army school you have to try and be honor graduate. You can’t let someone else pass you by he said.

“You cannot wait around for something to happen,” Command Sgt. Maj. Baker said. “You have to make it happen.”

Sgt. Maj. Frank Rodriguez, the operations sergeant major for 2nd CAB, 2nd Infantry Division and native of Silver Spring, Maryland, said that leaders are the example for Soldiers. If leaders don’t hold a high standard for themselves then the Soldiers will see that and fall into the lower echelon of standards.

Being Soldiers they are ambassadors for the U.S. and knowing that, they have to keep themselves to a higher standard and that’s what we want future Soldiers and civilians to know. Joining the Army is a big commitment and it isn’t easy. Soldiers are assets of war said Command Sgt. Maj. Sotorosado.

You have to be focused, work hard and be ready to serve as the best possible Soldier you can be, but if you put forth the effort, the rewards are limitless.

“I am proud to be in the Army because it gave me opportunities that I would have never had,” Command Sgt. Maj. Sotorosado said.

Future Soldiers should be proud of the serving their country, said Command Sgt. Maj. Baker. Celebrations such as Veterans Day are America’s days to remember what great sacrifices Soldiers have made while serving.

At the end of the session, Command Sgt. Maj. Sotorosado asked, “What makes you Army strong?”

Family, leadership, God, teamwork, and Army values were among the many answers replied to the question. Soldiers and leaders are motivated by several different things depending on their situation and attitude. You just have to find that one thing that keeps you driving forward and remain steadfast and proud in your decision to serve our great nation.

• Date Taken: 11.24.2014
• Date Posted: 11.25.2014 02:10
• Story ID: 148740
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR
• Hometown: HONOLULU, HI, US
• Hometown: MULBERRY, FL, US
• Hometown: SILVER SPRING, MD, US