By Spc. Harmony Pelletier

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Air Defense Artillery Regimental Command Sergeant Major made a trip to visit the deployed soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Dec. 22 and 23 in Southwest Asia.

3-2 ADA is currently deployed in two separate locations in the region and Command Sgt. Maj. James T. Carr made it his mission to visit both task forces in order to reach every single soldier in the battalion. His main purpose for the visits was to talk with the soldiers about keeping their heads up during the deployment.

“Stay positive,” he said while sitting with the soldiers of B Battery. “America depends on you, so you have to stay positive.”

While taking time to talk to the soldiers, he also walked through each site observing the conditions and recognizing the improvements that have been made since the battalion’s arrival.

“It was cool that he cared about us enough to ask everyone what we needed and what would make our stay here a little more comfortable,” said Spc. Adam Sprinkle, a PATRIOT launching station enhanced operator and maintainer from B Battery.

Along with visiting the sites and spending time with the Soldiers, Command Sgt. Maj. Carr was a distinguished guest for 3-2 ADA’s non-commissioned officer induction ceremony in both areas of responsibility. Eight soldiers were introduced into the time-honored NCO corps in one location and 12 in the other, but all soldiers were lucky enough to receive a few words from a leader who has been part of that same corps for 28 years.

While offering some advice on being a non-commissioned officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Carr stated that being inducted into The Corps was one of his “proudest moments in life.” As many eager and young NCOs looked up at him while delivering his speech, he made a statement that stuck with all of them.

“Knowing the path and walking the path are sometimes two different things.”

All of the soldiers in the room nodded their heads as to agree with his honest statement. He went on to speak about the role of an NCO and how the responsibilities are infinite.

“It’s about taking care of soldiers and living the Army Values, not just knowing them,” he said.

Every word he spoke resonated in the minds of the young Soldiers in the audience, but his final words are what left the lasting impression that few soldiers will ever forget.

“The most important part of being a non-commissioned Officer is choosing to do the right things all the time, even when no one else is around.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald C. Cowan, the battalion command sergeant major for 3-2 ADA, stood proudly next to Command Sgt. Maj. Carr as 20 soldiers became NCO's.

Although 3-2 ADA’s troops are separated by hundreds of miles, during those moments they were connected again; proud and supportive of each other for the hard work and dedication it took to get into the NCO corps. The newly inducted non-commissioned officers recited the charge of the NCO and were warmly welcomed by Command Sgt. Maj. Carr and fellow NCOs in their battalion. Command Sgt. Maj. Carr departed the soldiers of 3-2 ADA having left them with encouraging words and nothing but success to look forward to.