Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Senior enlisted Army Reserve soldier awarded Firefighter of the Year

    Senior enlisted Army Reserve soldier awarded Firefighter of the Year

    Photo By Master Sgt. Andy Yoshimura | Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Kloha was awarded Firefighter of the Year for city of Midland,...... read more read more

    MIDLAND, MI, UNITED STATES

    01.14.2013

    Courtesy Story

    U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)

    Story by Spc. Tonya Ritter, 412th Civil Affairs Command
    Photo by Val Minor, 412th Civil Affairs Command

    MIDLAND, Mich - Citizen-soldiers of the Army Reserve are used to wearing a uniform when defending our country. When many citizen-soldiers are not wearing their Army uniform, they put on another. One such Army Reserve soldier is Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Kloha, who was recently awarded the Midland, Mich., Firefighter of the Year award - for the second time in his career.

    Kloha has been a firefighter for 21 years and a soldier in the Army Reserve for 29 years.

    Kloha is the command sergeant major of the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) (Tactical). He mentors junior noncommissioned officers for future leadership roles.

    “Leadership,” said Kloha “is the main thing in common with my civilian and Army Reserve jobs.”

    “He always goes above and beyond to help junior soldiers, and he puts forth a great effort with the Best Warrior Competition to develop leaders,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Skunza, training noncommissioned officer with the 412th CAB.

    “He is always looking out for soldiers’ well being, and ensuring we have everything we need to be successful,” said Spc. Vancil Casebolt, a Best Warrior representative for the 412th.

    Kloha began working as a City of Midland firefighter in 1991 and received his first Firefighter of the Year Award in 1999.

    “He is always looking to take the next step and roles for the betterment of his department,” said Mark Laux, a fellow firefighter.

    Kloha has been an American Red Cross first aid and CPR instructor since 1986, and he and his wife have hosted 13 minor league baseball players at his home over the past five years.

    When asked how the awards correlate with his Army Reserve service, Kloha stated, “Army Values and caring for people go hand in hand with being a firefighter.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.14.2013
    Date Posted: 01.14.2013 21:10
    Story ID: 100400
    Location: MIDLAND, MI, US
    Hometown: MIDLAND, MI, US

    Web Views: 226
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN