SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – This week’s Third Army/ARCENT Soldier of the Week is Sgt. Kenneth M. Greer, Third Army/ARCENT, finance budget technician.
The Brownsville, Tenn., native was assigned to Third Army/ARCENT after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with Charlie Detachment, 24th Finance Company from 2010 to 2011.
Greer, who has served more than four years in the U.S. Army, is the youngest and the only of four siblings to enter into the military. He comes from a family of veterans as his mother, Marilyn, who retired from the Air Force, served in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom during her 17 year military career, said Greer.
He said being deployed to Iraq made him appreciate being an American.
“Iraq was a different way of life and culture,” he said. “It humbles you and makes you realize there’s no place like being home in the States.”
Although Greer’s goal is to earn promotion to staff sergeant he also wants to be more involved in the community of Sumter, S.C., by volunteering more at the YMCA.
Q: What are your current military/professional goals?
A: To get promoted to staff sergeant.
Q: What would you like to be doing 10 years from now?
A: I am expecting to be a father to a boy in August, so I hope to be playing sports with my son one day.
Q: Besides being a soldier, What did you want to be when you were younger?
A: I wanted to be a professional basket ball player but I prioritized work over school and after a while I thought that to be an unrealistic goal for me and I’m short for a basketball player.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a soldier?
A: Being a soldier has brought structure to my life. It molds you to be a better person if you follow the Army Values in your personal and professional life.
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you?
A: I would want my family, a satellite phone and my weapon.
Q: If you could spend an hour with anyone, who would it be and why?
A: I would want to spend it with Jay-Z because I’m curious how he went from rags to riches; what inspired him to be successful.
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Home! It’s my place of relaxation.
Q: What was the best birthday gift you ever received?
A: It was on my birthday while I was deployed, my wife thought of my birthday from being so far away and the thought of her thinking of me touched me, along with it came an Xbox 360.
Q: If you could attend any live event, what would it be?
A: Miami NBA championship.