Guardsman on fourth deployment mentors his Soldiers

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Casper, being a non-commissioned officer is an opportunity to change lives for the better. Casper, a 38-year-old native of Seattle, Wash., and supply non-commissioned officer in charge, 181st Brigade Support Battalion, Washington Army National Guard, posses with one of the local donkey's at Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq.  

QAYYARAH, IRAQ

06.26.2009

Story by Sgt. Keith Anderson 

16th Sustainment Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq — For Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Casper, being an non-commissioned officer is an opportunity to change lives for the better.

Casper, a 38-year-old native of Seattle, Wash., and supply non-commissioned officer in charge, 181st Brigade Support Battalion, Washington Army National Guard, said NCOs need to challenge their Soldiers.

"When I moved from the Infantry to Logistics, my first supply clerk was a career specialist with no ambition to do anything else," Casper said. "No one had ever challenged him to do or be anything else. I assigned him tasks and held him accountable. He got motivated, passed his Army physical fitness test and his height and weight requirements and has now joined us in the NCO ranks working as an assistant supply non-commissioned officer in charge for another Battalion."

Casper said his Soldier is grateful for the mentorship.

"He always thanks me for turning his career around, challenging him, and making him a better Soldier," said Casper.

The veteran NCO, who has been in the Army since 1989 and is currently on his fourth deployment, said he was honored to serve as a non-commissioned officer.

"Being an NCO is the greatest privilege in the Army," said Casper. "I get to train, mentor and lead America's greatest Soldiers wherever our nations needs us."

Casper had some advice for new NCOs.

"Don't get discouraged," Casper said. "You will have good bosses and good troops, and you will have bad ones, too. Just make sure that you learn from both and never quit, especially on your Soldiers."

The secret to leadership is to never procrastinate, Casper said.

"Lead by example; always do the hard thing first," he said. "That way when things do get bad it's not such a big impact on you and your troopers."

• Date Taken: 06.26.2009
• Date Posted: 06.26.2009 06:12
• Story ID: 35656
• Location: QAYYARAH, IQ