Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hull | Command Sgt. Maj. Mitchell L. Rucker, incoming command sergeant major for the 2nd...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - “I always knew I wanted to be in the military,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Mitchell Rucker. “Pretty sure I wanted to start jumping out of airplanes when I was 16.”
More than two decades ago, Pvt. Rucker completed initial entry training as an infantryman, graduated from Airborne School and received his first assignment: the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Now, he has returned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division to serve as the command sergeant major, the organization’s senior noncommissioned officer.
He officially took possession of the regimental colors, symbolizing his appointment to the Brigade’s command team, during an Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at the division headquarters, June 18, 2015.
“A young private came to the 2nd Brigade a brand new Paratrooper in 1992 … and rose 23 years later to assume responsibility of that same Brigade Combat Team” said Col. Joseph Ryan, commander of the Falcon Brigade. “This is a loud and clear message to every Paratrooper in our formation that there is a future brigade command sergeant major out there today, and I would offer very likely, more than one.”
With the silver and blue crest of the 325th AIR pinned to his maroon beret again, Rucker gave his first directive to the formation of guidons and battalion colors under the fierce North Carolina sun that morning.
“Rest,” he commanded the sweating, motionless formation. He spoke shortly and to the point, thanking family and friends, as well as making some promises.
“I’m excited to be a member of the team, and rest assured I will be an active member,” said Rucker to the assembled Paratroopers. “I’m thrilled to be here.”
To be a command sergeant major means being the enlisted members’ representative to the commander and requires the overseeing of the training, professional development, and well-being of the enlisted force, who compose the vast majority of personnel within a Brigade.
Retired Maj. Gen. Zannie O. Smith and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Steven R. England, the Regiment’s honorary command team and at one time, the actual command team in Rucker’s first term of service, attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony, England passed the colors to Ryan who then passed them to Rucker.
“What an extremely humbling honor it is to have my brigade commander and sergeant major here,” said Rucker.
It was during England’s time as the senior NCO of the Brigade that Rucker was selected to be the sergeant major’s driver. He also recalled receiving a challenge coin from England upon his graduation from Ranger School.
Rucker smiled slightly as he mused at the thought of being able to look at his driver now and state, “I used to be you.”
The Falcons hold the same responsibilities now as they did then: standing trained and ready to deploy anywhere in the world with no notice to conduct combat or humanitarian operations in support of the nation’s interests.
“The Falcon Brigade stands ... ready to answer the call for the Global Response Force because the nation expects us to be ready above all things,” said Ryan as Rucker prepared to address the audience at the ceremony.
Acknowledging the enormity of the brigade’s contingency response mission and the need for constant readiness, Rucker promised to do his part.
“I will do everything within my power to make sure of the Falcon Brigade’s success and bring credit to the division,” said Rucker.
“It is my charge,” he emphasized.
Rucker has served in airborne organizations for the majority of his career. In addition to Fort Bragg, he’s served at Fort Richardson, Alaska and at Vicenza, Italy, with Airborne Brigade Combat Teams. He’s served as a Ranger Instructor at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He’s deployed once each to Kosovo and to Iraq, and conducted several tours to Afghanistan.
“For me, being a paratrooper is a way of life,” he explained.
Rucker said he believes a paratrooper is unique compared to other types of military service members.
“From the moment they exit the plane and until the moment they link up with the first person they can find on the drop zone, they are truly required to be able to operate on their own, understand the commander’s intent, and execute the mission.”
In every other aspect of military life, no one is supposed to do anything alone, he explained. Whether it’s simply operating a vehicle or moving in fire teams, every person is always supposed to have a buddy.
“But that moment and time that you exit the aircraft, it’s just you,” he said. “It’s unique and I think it’s what sets us apart.”
Rucker’s goals for his future don’t focus as much on his own personal achievements as much as an obligation he feels to those that come behind him.
“It’s really all about how the Army has invested in me for all of these years, so how do I invest in the next generation of the Army?” he asked.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2015 12:19 |
| Story ID: | 167644 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Hometown: | ST. PAUL, MN, US |
| Web Views: | 1,382 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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