Photo By Frank O'Brien | Newly promoted officers of the Virginia Army National Guard 116th “Stonewall...... read more read more
ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Not to be shown up by their fast-tracking enlisted soldiers, three officers of the Staunton-based Virginia Army National Guard 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were promoted in separate ceremonies over the past two weeks at Forward Operating Base Lagman.
Stephen C. Fish, 43, a Cross Lanes, W.Va., native, was promoted from captain to major on Halloween 2011. Fish has 23 years Army experience: 10 years active duty enlisted as an engineer where he reached the rank of sergeant and 13 years in the West Virginia National Guard. This is his second deployment and first with the Virginia National Guard. Fish’s first deployment was to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
Fish volunteered for the deployment with the Stonewall Brigade and works as the brigade information assurance officer.
“Because the signal field is constantly changing, to be an effective future Brigade S-6, I felt the need to come to the field and see the equipment in operation; how it all ties together into the big picture,” said Fish. “There’s some experience you can’t get at AT [annual training].”
“I wanted to do my part, get my boots dirty and contribute to the fight,” he added.
Fish has previously served as a Signal Detachment commander for the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, S-6 for the 1092nd Engineer Battalion, and S-6 for the 1st Battalion, 150th Armor Regiment. Fish’s son Alex recently joined the U.S. Army and reported to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, where he will serve as a 25U Army Signal support systems Specialist.
Stephen D. Carey, 43, company commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was promoted at night in a surprise ceremony in near total darkness under the pretext that something had gone horribly wrong and needed to be fixed immediately. Instead it was something going horribly right as the Falls Church, Va., native was promoted from captain to major to vigorous applause as red, green and blue flashlights lit him up like a disco ball.
Carey’s career, like his passion for long distance running, has covered significant territory. It spans four states, 24 years, stints on active duty and in several state National Guards, and time as both a staff sergeant and infantry officer.
His new rank is something that he doesn’t plan on running away from anytime soon.
“It’s an honor to be selected as a field grade officer and moving on to the next phase of my career,” said Carey. “For now, I plan on remaining with the 116th. The deployment gave me great experience both from being in command and from being mentored by 30-plus field grade officers.”
Of his many experiences, Carey says, “The best job I ever had was as a scout platoon leader.”
Eric G. Forcey of Lynchburg, Va., assistant fire support officer for the 116th, was promoted from first lieutenant to captain Oct. 28. This is his second tour in Afghanistan. Previously, he was part of the 10th Mountain Division’s Task Force Spartan. Forcey, who served three-years on active duty, is married and joined the Virginia National Guard to settle down in his hometown.
“The promotion was a pleasant surprise,” said Forcey. “I knew it was coming, but not when. I want to give a shout out to all my former first lieutenants: Their time will come. Ever forward!”
| Date Taken: | 11.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2011 23:05 |
| Story ID: | 80519 |
| Location: | ZABUL PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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