Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | Shavonne Singleton promotes her husband, 1st Lt. Troy Singleton, to captain during a...... read more read more
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Story by Michael Lemmons, STB, 3rd IBCT PAO
FORT KNOX, Ky. - After 14 years as an enlisted service member, three years as an Army drill sergeant and experience as a senior noncommissioned officer, 1st Lt. Troy Singleton was promoted to captain Aug. 19 at the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters.
What makes this different than any other promotion, is the gold-plated metal and enamel insignia he wears just below his rank.
The two inch badge that rests on Singleton's chest symbolizes the years he dedicated to coaching and mentoring the soldiers of tomorrow while the rank of captain symbolizes his future as a decision maker and dedicated leader of soldiers. The two, although similar, are seldom worn together.
“It’s rare to see because most officers don’t have prior service as an enlisted service member,” Singleton said.
Unlike many soldiers who choose to tackle the challenges of either the enlisted or officer branches, Singleton has overcome the challenges associated with both.
One of the biggest lessons he learned came while serving as a drill sergeant.
“The hardest thing was the different personalities and the different backgrounds from soldiers”. Singleton said. “You can’t have the same approach to every soldier because they’re different.”
For many recruits and new soldiers like Pfc. Shenita Williams, a communications specialist for the 3rd IBCT, Special Troops Battalion, seeing drill sergeants lined up waiting for her to get off the bus on her first day of basic training can be a very nerve-racking experience, and having a drill sergeant who understands empathy can make or break the career of an aspiring soldier.
“I asked myself, ‘what was I getting myself into?’ I knew there was about to be a bunch of screaming - I was just like, ‘Wow, I’m about to go through a lot,’” Williams said. “It was very intimidating. My drill sergeant showed discipline at the right times and gave us the right directions to become the soldiers that we are today.”
Being a drill sergeant is the best opportunity because noncommissioned officers get to train the next generation of soldiers to take their place, Singleton said.
“If you want to leave the Army in the best condition possible and you’re that guy that’s doing the right thing you want to have soldiers out there like you,” he added.
It was molding and providing direction for soldiers like Williams that made it difficult for Singleton to make the switch from enlisted to officer.
“I waited four years to put my packet in to go commissioned. … At first, I didn’t think it was for me,” Singleton said. “The best way to have any sort of effect on Army policy and to make decisions was to go officer. NCOs can make recommendations, but overall the officer makes the final decisions and that’s what I wanted to do.”
Spc. Natalie Depree, the battalion family readiness support adviser, said having a leader with experience in both rank structures can make the difference between developing a good soldier and a less than satisfactory soldier.
“A good leader is someone who can actually mold a soldier,” Depree said. “Anyone can make a soldier but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be a good soldier”.
If there is one thing apparent by the accolades Singleton received it is his ability to mold great soldiers, and while he has flipped the page from molding to leading, he is looking forward to making a difference as a captain and future company commander.
“I would love to be a basic training commander, but if I ended up an infantry commander, I will be happy either way,” Singleton said before he smiled thinking about his future
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2013 17:31 |
| Story ID: | 112427 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Hometown: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 455 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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