Bronze Order of Mercury awarded to Tulsa Guardsman

Photo By Spc. Nicole Baker | Col. Van Kinchen, commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, places the Bronze Order of Mercury around the neck of Master Sgt. Robert White. The Bronze Order of Mercury recognizes those people who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence and selflessness, and who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the Signal Corps and the Signal Regimental Association. (Photo by Pfc. Nicole Baker, 45th IBCT Public Affairs)  

OK, UNITED STATES

06.12.2015

Story by Pfc. Nicole Baker 

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

FORT SILL, Okla. - The Signal Corps Regimental Association awarded an Oklahoma Army National Guardsman with the Bronze Order of Mercury last week during the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s (IBCT) annual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Master Sgt. Robert White, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a member of the 45th’s Headquarters Company, received the award for his hard work, technical expertise, and dedicated service as a member of the Signal Corps.

The Bronze Order of Mercury is a regimental award from the Signal Corps Regimental Association and “recognizes those people who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence and selflessness, and who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the Signal Corps and the Signal Regimental Association.”

When asked why he received the award, White said, “I did a lot of work and submitted a lot of material to the information technology community of purpose or S6.army.mil, where signal affiliated folks can go chat with each other or post questions.”

White was nominated by Keith Davis, an administrator for the S6.army.mil website.

“Recognition is always nice, but it’s not required,” said White. “I would’ve done it without any chance or hope for an award.”

To be nominated, Soldiers must be a part of the Signal Corps Regimental Association. Since Oklahoma doesn’t have an association, Davis paid for White’s membership so he could submit his name.

White was also promoted to master sergeant at the same ceremony and will become the Brigade’s communications senior noncommissioned officer.

Col. Van Kinchen, commander of the 45th and resident of Norman, Oklahoma, has no doubts that White will lead the Brigade in the right direction.

“I think his work ethic is second to none. For him, failure is not an option,” said Kinchen. “He’s one of the most creative minds and has [an] unbelievable [amount of] passion and drive to succeed.”

Part of that work ethic includes sharing the information he’s gained in the past 21 years.

“Most importantly, he is really among the best I’ve seen at teaching others how to do things so it’s not just him that’s learning. It’s giving the knowledge to the next generation,” said Maj. Benjamin Weiss, brigade signal officer.

As White takes on his new position he not only plans to pass knowledge to the Soldiers currently working for him, but also to leave something for the Soldiers coming behind him.

• Date Taken: 06.12.2015
• Date Posted: 06.15.2015 14:23
• Story ID: 166669
• Location: OK, US
• Hometown: TULSA, OK, US