FORT KNOX, Ky. - A memorial service was held here Wednesday for a Soldier assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Sgt. Aaron Scales died unexpectedly Jun. 13 while conducting physical training during the basic phase of his Officer Candidate School training at Fort Benning, Ga.
According to reports, Scales, a Fire Direction Specialist assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment prior to becoming an officer candidate, collapsed near the finish of a five mile run. Despite efforts of emergency medical personnel he was never revived and pronounced dead at Martin Army Community Hospital due to cardiac arrest.
Hundreds of Soldiers, Family members, and friends turned out to honor Scale's memory at Fort Knox's Prichard Chapel. During the memorial service, fellow Soldiers spoke on the impact their friend made, not only on his unit and fellow Soldiers, but also on his Family.
".He was very motivated, very ambitious," said Sgt. Josue Reyes, a computer operator who worked with Scales. "He wanted to do more for his Family. He wanted to go officer to do better by them," said Reyes.
Scales, a Pittsburg-area native who was 34 at the time of his death, arrived to Fort Knox in August 2009. He deployed with the 1-6 FA to Afghanistan last year and returned in December with the rest of his unit and began preparing for his eventual departure for OCS. Prior to enlisting in the Army in 2009, Scales worked as a superintendent and project manager in residential and commercial construction for six years.
Spc. Brandon Lord, another Soldier who served with Scales, said he was a cut above the rest, worked hard at making himself the best possible Soldier, and could be put in charge of anything and do well.
"Sgt. Scales was all about staying in shape, all about PT. He would work out 2-3 times a day," said Lord. "His willingness to learn set him apart, even during deployment he was always learning and doing different jobs."
Scale's reputation is evident despite his abbreviated Army career. During his service Scales earned multiple award and decorations including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO ribbon. He also graduated multiple Army schools including, Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems course, the Warrior Leader's Course, Combat Lifesavers Course, and Sling Load Inspectors certification course, among others.
Throughout the memorial it was clear Scales touched the lives of many people in a positive way. It was his positive nature and his very distinct laugh that remains prominent in the mind of Lord.
"He liked to laugh, his laugh alone is something to remember him by," said Lord.
Scales is survived by his wife Tameka and six children.