RODRIQUEZ FIRING RANGE, South Korea - Pride, honor and discipline manifest on the faces of the soldiers in Company D, 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Jan. 25, 2013. All because Maj. Gen. Edward Cardon, the division commander, presented and attached to the unit guidon a Zero Alcohol Incident Streamer during a ceremony at Rodriquez Firing Range.
"You represent your unit, 2ID and the Army,” said Maj.Gen. Edward Cardon, commander of 2nd Inf. Div. “I am proud of you and all your NCOs. Remember stay ready and let’s fight tonight!”
The “Dragon” soldiers earned the streamer by surpassing more than 365 days without any incidents involving alcohol, making them the first in their battalion and brigade to earn such an honor.
“The soldiers of Dragon Company showed personal discipline, accountability and teamwork to achieve 365 days of zero alcohol related incidents,” said Capt. David. W. Lambert, company commander. “It has been incredibly tough to keep this going. But what has made it a little easier is how close our tank crews are with each other.”
Because of their discipline, the soldiers in Company D have a liberal pass and leave policy. No other restrictions are placed on the soldiers, beside the policies already in place peninsula-wide.
Lambert believes in treating his soldiers as grown men because they act like it.
“All of the soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers take personal pride and have made it their mission to look out for their comrades,” said 1st Sgt. John P. Bernard, company first sergeant. “They understand that each member of their team is important to our unit and the mission.”
The Dragon soldiers consider it an honor to receive the streamer because it shows their camaraderie is recognized in the division.
“It proves they care about their fellow soldiers. It proves they care about the mission, and it gives them a sense of pride,” said Lambert.
“This award isn’t for me or the commander; this award is for the soldiers,” Bernard added. “It’s to recognize all of the things they have done right.”
Each of the Dragon soldiers received a company coin and Lambert and Bernard plan on hosting a barbecue to celebrate.