MNC-I 'top NCO' visits Ramadi

RAMADI, IRAQ

05.02.2007

Story by Spc. Ricardo Branch 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Spc. Ricardo Branch
1st Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division

RAMADI, Iraq – Military service members received a special visit April 30 when Multi-National Forces-Iraq Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill arrived from Baghdad to witness first hand the efforts troops have made to allow security possible in Ramadi.

"Just from my experiences before in Iraq and back in the United States, these were the wasp nests," he said. "This was an area you dreaded putting boots on the ground, so to be able to walk some of the ground now and see the Soldiers and Marines making a difference – it's incredible."

Although Hill has only been in Iraq for two weeks, his decision to travel to Ramadi was for a couple of reasons.

"By me coming here, it lets me get familiarized with the situation on the ground and allows me to meet with the key leaders that I'm depending on to help enforce the standards and discipline," he said.

For the MNC-I sergeant major, standards and discipline are the things he was looking for while amongst the troops during a patrol around Combat Outpost Falcon.

"From what I've seen here today, I think we need to continue to work force protection," he said. "We can't afford to let our guards down as we work the command's intent. It's really not an improvement, but a reminder for the troops to never forget force protection."

Since taking over the position of MNC-I command sergeant major, Hill has two main priorities he's looking to accomplish while in his new role.

"One, is to not lose a service member due to negligence of any sort," he said. "This means that it will take NCOs at all levels to help me accomplish that goal, and two, is to continue to grow our future NCO corps through tactical proficiency, and role model leadership."

As his visit drew to a close, Hill spoke a few words.

"I was fortunate enough to spend eight months with the Raider Brigade in Kosovo in 2001, where I served as the Task Force Falcon Command Sergeant Major. I'm honored to share dirt in a combat zone with that very same brigade."

• Date Taken: 05.02.2007
• Date Posted: 05.07.2007 14:07
• Story ID: 10270
• Location: RAMADI, IQ