Combined Joint Task Force-82
Combined Press Information Center
FORWARD OPERATING BASE CHAPMAN, Afghanistan – The Soldiers and Sailors of the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) were given a chance to speak with the sergeant major of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston, when he visited their forward operating base for an awards ceremony and promotion, Sept. 16th.
Four Soldiers were presented Army Commendation Medals by Preston and one was also promoted to the rank of staff sergeant by the highest-ranking enlisted Soldier in the Army.
"I think it's good the (sergeant major) takes the time to come to places like this and give our Soldiers credit," said 1st Sgt. Dino Kosio, the first sergeant for the Khowst PRT. "Even though it's usually just a quick visit, it lets our guys know he cares about what they are doing over here."
Sgt. Frederick Adams and Staff Sgts. Thomas Boyd, Kirtis Hoursch and Geoffrey Hunt, all squad leaders and infantrymen with the 158th Infantry Battalion, Ariz. National Guard, attached to the Khowst PRT, were presented Army Commendation Medals. Adams was also promoted to the rank of staff sergeant by Preston.
After handing out the medals, Preston took time to address all of the Soldiers and Sailors of the PRT and talked in depth about what it means to serve your country.
"First of all, I want to thank the leadership for allowing me to come out here today," Preston started. "It's always good to be able to come out and present awards, as well as talk about issues you guys might be having."
Preston asked everyone in the room who has had a parent serve in the military to raise their hand.
There was hardly a lowered hand in sight.
"This proves what I have known all along, the military has family ties," Preston said. "Unfortunately, there are hundreds of thousands of Americans who have no idea what the military really is."
Mentioning this, he asked a favor of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Khowst PRT.
"When you go home on (leave) or for the end of your deployment, I want you to help tell the Servicemember's story," he said. "We actually encourage our guys to travel in their uniforms now, so when they sit next to a civilian on a plane, they can tell them what being a Soldier or a Sailor is all about."
In closing, Preston reiterated how proud he is of all the service members of the PRT and said the American people are proud and have the Soldiers and Sailors in their thoughts and prayers.