By 1st Lt. Robert Deaton

BAGHDAD—Soldiers with Company A, “Griffin” Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center gathered Sept. 14 in front of USD-C headquarters at Camp Liberty, Iraq, for a special ceremony in their honor.

Seven Company A “Titan” soldiers were presented the coin of military intelligence excellence of the 25th Infantry Division, and USD-C, by Lt. Col. James Botters and Sgt. Maj. John Garrison, intelligence officer and sergeant major with the 25th Inf. Div., respectively, for their dedication and service during their deployment in support of Operation New Dawn.

Titan Company provided intelligence collection, as well as information flow, to maneuver units and troops on the ground throughout Baghdad province.

“Enough cannot be said about the professionalism, discipline, and camaraderie these soldiers have exemplified while faced with difficult challenges and situations over this deployment,” said Capt. Jason Cano, commander of Company A, STB and a College Station, Texas, native.

Garrison began the ceremony with a description of the Military Intelligence coin for excellence and what it represents.

“No matter your rank or duty position, your job is to protect national security at all costs as an Intelligence professional,” he said.

After handing out each coin, Botters and Garrison took the time to talk to each Titan soldier individually as a show of their appreciation for the service that each has provided towards the intelligence mission within USD-C.

In closing the ceremony, Botters expressed his gratitude for all of the soldiers’ hard work and the ability to take the time out of their schedule to be recognized.

“I think it’s neat to be recognized for all of my hard work over the last 10 months,” said Staff Sgt. Maurin Livingston, a linguist and an Omaha, Neb., native.

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