Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Howard Reed | Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr. speaks with Lt. Col. Eric Shirley, the...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Casa Grande, Ariz., may be considered a small town by some, but their citizens make a considerable impact not only on the surrounding community but also to the entire nation. Col. Frank Y. Rangel Jr., the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, and Lt. Col. Eric Shirley, the 193rd Brigade Support Battalion commander, are both Casa Grande natives and key leaders in the country’s federal domestic disaster response mission.
Their mission is part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high Yield Explosives Consequence Management Response Force that was created by the Department of Defense to specifically respond to a catastrophic incident within the United States that would require federal support.
Rangel and Shirley are participating in a Northern Command-directed CCMRF exercise called Vibrant Response that is designed to test the capabilities of their response force (Task Force Operations) to coordinate and conduct emergency response efforts in support of State and local authorities.
Vibrant Response is being held at Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana from March 11-20.
In the Vibrant Response scenario, an improvised radiological explosive device has detonated in and around a major metropolitan area in the United States spreading radioactive material and causing major injuries to its citizens.
Rangel and Shirley are actively responding to State and local requests for assistance by commanding their troops who are trained in emergency response including law enforcement, engineering, radiological surveying and recovery.
Shirley contributes his success in military leadership directly to his mentors in the Casa Grande community.
“They taught me discipline and helped me to develop confidence that has been fundamental to the success I’ve had both at home and abroad,” said Shirley.
“Mrs. Lollie Davis, my most beloved teacher at [Casa Grande Union High School], taught me that scoring 80 percent and getting a B isn’t good enough if it isn’t your best effort,” he said. “I absolutely demand more of myself now that I am in command.”
Shirley’s words are echoed by Rangel as well.
“Walt Maykulsky, Dave Linley and Manny Leybas were more than just educators to me – they were life coaches and mentors,” said Rangel. “They invested their time in me to listen and guide me toward the good things in life, the things that matter most – faith, family, friends and country.”
“Joining the military is the best thing I ever did,” he added.
Rangel and Shirley are scheduled to return to Fort Leonard Wood once the domestic disaster response exercise is complete, but the leadership instilled in them at Casa Grande will continue to protect others whether at home or abroad.
“Look for opportunities to volunteer to lead, whether in a sports, civic or church setting,” adds Shirley. “Always challenge yourself to step up to that next level of performance.”
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2011 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 67535 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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