Raider Brigade first sergeant to receive AUSA Leadership Award

Photo By Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts | U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Roger Hankins, the senior enlisted adviser for Anvil Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, addresses his soldiers as they prepare for the day’s training at Grafenwohr, Germany, Sept. 26. Hankins, a Houston native, is scheduled to receive the Sergeant Major Larry Strickland Educational Leadership Award Oct. 12 at the Association of the United States Army convention in Washington, D.C.  

GRAFENWOHR, GERMANY

09.26.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Roger Hankins is scheduled to receive the Sergeant Major Larry Strickland Educational Leadership Award Oct. 12 at the Association of the United States Army convention in Washington, D.C.

The awards honors the memory of Sgt. Maj. Larry L. Strickland, who was a victim of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. The award recognizes noncommissioned officers who stand out from their peers in leader development and encouraging Soldiers’ educational growth.

“I am overwhelmed with even being considered for such a prestigious award, let alone to actually win it.” said Hankins, the senior enlisted advisor for Anvil Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. “I was humbled, overwhelmed, honored and a little confused that I won.”

The Army’s operational tempo with more than a decade of war has made it difficult for Soldiers to find the time to continue their personal education. Despite these challenges, Hankins said Soldiers need to personally make their education a priority.

"The only person who is going to take care of you, is you," said Hankins, a Houston native. “Going through the off-time, making sure that you still knock out your college for your professional and personal growth.”

But Hankins said it is a leader’s responsibility to balance their Soldiers’ personal and professional development.

“The challenge we face, especially as infantrymen, is to be able to get back and still go to school, but also to be professional at your job; to shoot brads [Bradleys] or be dismounted infantrymen,” said Hankins. “We need to find that happy medium of we aren’t doing anything in the field right now, let’s get these guys back to go to school. You got to have that personal and professional balance to make you a squared away, all-around Soldier.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Jabari Williams, the command sergeant major for 1st Bn., 64th Armd. Regt., nominated Hankins for the award.

"I nominated 1st. Sgt. Hankins for this prestigious award based off of the professionalism and military excellence that I see him achieving," said Williams. “He’s a professional; true leader of Soldiers. He understands what it is to build a team. He understands what it is to show stewardship and leadership in times of adversity.”

Hankins also knows the importance of having someone push you to continue your personal education.

“I have to give full credit to my wife,” said Hankins. “She would not let me get out of the Army until I had my bachelor’s degree. She’s the one that pushed me to get my master’s degree. I give full credit to her.”

• Date Taken: 09.26.2015
• Date Posted: 10.02.2015 09:40
• Story ID: 177862
• Location: GRAFENWOHR, DE