Visiting general promotes 220th TC NCO

Courtesy Photo | (Right) Brig. Gen. James V. Young Jr., commander of the Military Intelligence Readiness Command, places rank on newly promoted Staff Sgt. Justin Lee Morales, motor transport operator with the 220th Transportation Company, 394th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and Latham, N.Y., native. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Constance A. Oberg)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

02.18.2011

Courtesy Story

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

Story by: Staff Sgt. Constance A. Oberg

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — For one soldier serving in Iraq, his recent promotion ceremony from sergeant to staff sergeant is one he will not soon forget.

“It was a surprise when it was first brought to me. It is such an honor to be promoted by a one-star general,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Lee Morales, a motor transport operator with the 220th Transportation Company, 394th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Latham, N.Y., native.

Morales said he felt that since he was just being promoted to staff sergeant, he did not deserve this type of recognition.

“My first sergeant pulled me aside and told me that he felt I was not just your everyday sergeant; the way I carry myself, train my troops and my leadership style was unique and different from anyone else he has ever seen,” he said.

For this, Morales’ unit wanted him to be promoted and recognized by Brig. Gen. James V. Young Jr., Military Intelligence Readiness Command commander, who was visiting soldiers stationed on COB Speicher.

“In my opinion when the Army promotes someone from specialist to sergeant. It’s recognition that the soldier being promoted by their command thinks they have leadership potential, that they have done everything right and they have that extra spark showing they are going to make a good leader,” said Young. “When the Army promotes you from sergeant to staff sergeant, it is a recognition that you are doing great as a leader and that is what we see in Staff Sgt. Morales today.”

• Date Taken: 02.18.2011
• Date Posted: 03.01.2011 02:32
• Story ID: 66267
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ