Former staff sergeant commissions, earns promotion to major

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Regina Machine | Lt. Col. David H. Patterson officially places the rank of major on newly promoted Maj. Mary Ricks. Ricks is the commander of the 13th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas, and a public affairs officer for Third Army/ARCENT.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

08.01.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Regina Machine 

13th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – On Aug. 1, Third Army welcomed the newest major in its command, Maj. Mary A. Ricks, commander, 13th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas, and a public affairs officer for Third Army/ARCENT, and native of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

Ricks, who began the first eight and a half, of her 19-year military career as an administrative specialist, attributes her leadership style to lessons learned as a non-commissioned officer.

“Being an NCO first gave me a solid foundation in leadership,” said Ricks. “Having worn the boots of a private helps me stay grounded, and it gives me a greater appreciation of what soldiers go through.”

In 2001, Ricks received her commission through Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Ga. As a commissioned officer, Ricks feels she has an opportunity to impact soldiers on a larger scale then she did as a non-commissioned officer.

“Officers are the planners; they give the orders, and NCOs are the doers who execute the plans,” Ricks added. “NCOs are where the rubber meets the road.”

Ricks has left a lasting impression on soldiers under her command, like Spc. Bradley Wancour, a public affairs specialist for 13th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas, and Third Army/ARCENT, and Rochester Hills, Mich., native.

“I first met Maj. Ricks when she arrived at the 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas,” said Wancour. “It was my first duty station and I had only been there for a couple of months. I ended up talking to her for maybe a half hour. I was pretty new, and was a bit uptight about talking to an officer at first, but her personality quickly calmed me down.”

“I would never ask a soldier to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself,” Ricks said.

For any non-commissioned officer who is thinking about becoming a commissioned officer, Ricks has this advice to give: “It’s very rewarding and a privilege to lead soldiers on a different level. If you can lead soldiers and are committed to the mission, go for it. I am proud of where I came from, what I’ve done, and look forward to continued service in the Army and to the soldiers in the 13th PAD and Third Army.”

• Date Taken: 08.01.2011
• Date Posted: 08.08.2011 02:18
• Story ID: 75021
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW