MNC-I Command Sergeant Major Patrols with the Troops

Photo By Staff Sgt. Russell Klika | MNC-I Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Beam makes his way up the hill side at Outpost 3 that overlooks Ad Dwar Iraq. Beam was visiting Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.  

AD DAWR, IRAQ

05.30.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Russell Klika 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

AD DAWR, Iraq (May 28, 2006) -- "You are the lions of the new Iraq. If your roar is loud enough, everyone will hear."

These words were spoken to the Soldiers of an Iraqi Army platoon at Forward Operating Base Wilson by Multi-National Corps-Iraq Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Beam after conducting a patrol with them and Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division on May 19th. Beam took the opportunity to accompany the Soldiers on a mosque monitoring mission in a nearby village.

"It is the Sergeants that lead the way. It is the Sergeant that enforces the standards ... if the Sergeant is good, then his Soldiers will want to be Sergeants one day," Beam told the Iraqi Army Soldiers.

Beam spoke of all Soldiers as if they were his own. "My boss has hand receipted to me more than 100,000 American Soldiers and nearly 200,000 Iraqi Army Soldiers. Yes, I am very concerned as to how the IA is doing. It is my job to see that things are going the way they should be going," says Beam.

The team hits the road four to five days a week visiting Soldiers and accompanying them on missions. Beam said that keeping his boots on the ground is the best way for him to keep his finger on the pulse of what is happening in his area of operations.

"My driver has just informed me that in the last 45 days we have logged 6,000 miles." A smile breaks out on Beam's face. "I am out here to see that the Sergeant is doing his job, not to interfere."

Stressing the importance of doing the right thing, especially when it comes to the Iraqi people, is a big issue for Beam.

"If you see a low wire, take the time to lower your antenna. Don't rip out their [the Iraqi nationals] cable. If you don't need to stop the flow of traffic--don't," said Beam. "The insurgents like to condition us; by that, I mean, if you see a new mound of dirt alongside of the road, don't just drive by it. Stop and check it out. If you don't, then the next time you drive by-- it could have an IED in it."

The Command Sgt. Maj. feels privileged to be able to be a squad leader one last time, referring to the team of Soldiers he travels with, proudly mentioning each Soldier in his squad and what they do.

"It's a great way to end a 30-year career," he explains.

Before departing, he re-emphasized the importance of doing the right thing all of the time to the Soldiers and that the Sergeants continue to set the standards and lead by example.

• Date Taken: 05.30.2006
• Date Posted: 05.30.2006 13:54
• Story ID: 6573
• Location: AD DAWR, IQ