Photo By Spc. Justin Snyder | Sgt. 1st Class Israel Reichard pauses to speak to a Soldier while making his rounds on...... read more read more
By Spc. Josh LeCappelain
Multi-National Division - Center
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – "Oh, you just missed him. He literally just stepped out. Nope, I'm not sure when he will be back. Your best bet is to just check back every so often."
Anyone who has ever gone looking for Sgt. 1st Class Israel Reichard has undoubtedly heard similar phrases. A man constantly on the move, he glides with suddenness in his step, the crisp stride of a man on a mission – which is always the case.
"He is definitely energetic and always has a good comment or two," said Maj. Edwin Ross, Camp Victory deputy mayor. "He gets things done – he makes them happen."
Reichard, a native of San Diego and Long Beach, Calif., wears two hats this deployment – platoon sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Mountain Division and 10th Mountain housing mayor on Camp Victory. Both jobs are independently time-consuming and taxing, but the man known as "ferocious" handles them with ease.
Everywhere he goes, people have information for him or problems that can use his expert assistance. He is quick to provide acknowledgement of Soldiers he knows, offering handshakes, playful nudges and greetings, no matter the rank – privates on up. For those who know him, a sense of appreciation for all his efforts permeates any conversation about Reichard.
"He's a man you can approach. He loves to help out Soldiers, going out of his way," said Spc. Benjamin Sieben, an orderly room clerk who works with Reichard. "I can go to him with a problem and know that he'll work on it, doing his best to help."
"He has a passion for helping people," said Sgt. 1st Class Dawn Taylor, Division Special Troops Battalion senior human resources non-commissioned officer in charge. "He is one of my best friends; a strong leader who is very ambitious. He takes the time to sit down with Soldiers, wanting to know what is wrong with them and how he can help."
Since enlisting in the Army in 1996 as an air defender, Reichard attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Okla., and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He spent time in Germany, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and at Fort Drum, N.Y., -- which he has called home for four years now.
He earned accolades such as Soldier of the Year in Hawaii, as well as NCO of the Year during his stay at Fort Drum.
All of his experience and excellence helped him grow into the person his is today, said Command Sgt. Maj. Tyrone Smoot, DSTB senior enlisted leader.
"He's a lead from the front type of NCO. He has exceptional loyalty to the unit and exemplifies all of the Army Values. I consider him a tremendous asset to Task Force Mountain and TF Gauntlet," said Smoot. "He is the sort of guy every sergeant major would want. You know that taking care of Soldiers is first in his eyes."
Lt. Col. Steven Parker, DSTB commander, echoed these sentiments toward Reichard's abilities. Parker has known him for many years, dating back to Parker's time as a captain.
"He's matured as a leader, but with the same level of energy. His biggest strength is that he cares deeply about Soldiers. He's always been a make it happen kind of guy. If you have one guy like that, you can count on him to always get things done. We wouldn't ask [what we ask of him] to anyone else," said Parker.
Another strength of "Rock" Reichard are his relationships with civilian contractors on Camp Victory.
"He understands how to interact with civilian agencies. Not everyone is equipped to do so like he does," Parker added. "He understands how to interact with people he doesn't have direct power over, but he still goes in there and gets it done. We benefit from his interactions on Victory Base Complex."
Donald Shaffer, a Kellogg, Brown and Root site manager on Camp Victory, works closely with Reichard on a variety of issues.
"He comes to me with problems and knows what channels to go through to get them handled," said Shaffer, who describes Reichard as outgoing, very-knowledgeable and motivated. "He hasn't asked for anything extraordinary. Anything he comes to is a top-priority. He's more about taking care of the unit and their areas then he is about himself."
As he travels the dusty roads trying to contact hard-to-reach contractors, he is constantly flagged down and stopped. It never stops, not that he minds.
"If I can affect change," Reichard said. "I feel like I have an opportunity to do it. I'm honored that I can be that person who people come to. Even if it's a fourth-and-long, wrong side of the 50 yard line problem, I try to give people a hand."
Extensive networking helps Reichard maximize his efforts and their lasting effects.
"My intent is to establish relationships that are mutually beneficial," he said. "I know that, no matter where I go, I'm going to create an immediate impact. I want to make my presence felt, while helping everyone that I can."
Maj. Mike Stewart, Camp Victory terrain and facilities manager, redeploys soon; he paused recently to thank Reichard for all the work he has done since arriving in Iraq.
"You've made quite a [lot] of improvements for 10th Mountain Division folks," Stewart told him, signaling toward a walkway that Reichard was instrumental in constructing to improve safety. "I really appreciate everything that you've done."
Reichard has one goal that he hopes to realize sooner rather than later.
"First sergeant has always been what I'm working toward," he said, noting that he wants to go as far as possible. "I exude professional excellence. I've found that, for me, the most important thing is hustle. I just don't ever stop."
"I can easily see him as a very successful first sergeant of a company, enroute to getting picked up for sergeant major," Parker said.
Reichard plans his schedules the night before, factoring in half of everyday to work on issues that affect the headquarters platoon. Somehow, he manages to tackle every issue he faces, while still taking time to speak with Soldiers he knows in a personal capacity.
"I met him in Kuwait, before we came over here," said Pfc. Michael Whittington, a DSTB accountability clerk. "He's a hell of an NCO. Anything I need, he's there for me. I had a birthday over here...he found out, next thing I knew, he had a cake for me. I don't know how he pulled that off."
Seeing the good in everyone, he is always willing to give someone a chance and the benefit of the doubt.
"I want to think the best in people," Reichard said. "I always do self-assessments on what I need to work on...on weaknesses. I ask myself, 'How can I do this?' You need an effective plan of action. I'm all about providing superior results, even with minimum assets."
As most of Camp Victory can attest, Reichard almost always succeeds.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2008 12:22 |
| Story ID: | 27592 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 545 |
| Downloads: | 208 |
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