North Carolina Soldier takes on new responsibilities upon entering Army NCO Corps

Photo By Sgt. David Marquis | For anyone in a leadership position, improving oneself and being a positive role model, along with additional duties and responsibilities, are just a few of the primary things a leader is charged with.  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

10.29.2015

Story by Sgt. David Marquis 

KFOR Regional Command East

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – For anyone in a leadership position, improving oneself and being a positive role model, along with additional duties and responsibilities, are just a few of the primary things a leader is charged with.

Sgt. Michelle Clark, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, who is currently deployed to Kosovo with Multinational Battle Group-East, has recently been promoted from specialist to sergeant and now has the responsibility of being a role model for junior enlisted Soldiers.

Clark serves as a knowledge management and property book noncommissioned officer with the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team headquarters, North Carolina National Guard unit based out of Clinton.

“It was a dream for me to become a noncommissioned officer when I first joined,” she said. “I saw all these other sergeants in my unit and I thought, ‘I want to be that one day,’ so this promotion is a big deal for me.”

Throughout Michelle’s military career she had many examples of positive leadership. One of those role models is her wife, Sgt. 1st Class Victoria Clark, who is also deployed to Kosovo as the unit administrator for the 30th ABCT Headquarters and Headquarters Company. Victoria said she has watched Michelle grow as a person, a Soldier, and a as leader.

“I know she’s worked hard for her promotion and I’m glad it’s finally come along,” Victoria said. “As her spouse and a senior NCO, I try to be both the emotional and professional support for her.”

The Clarks were deployed to Kuwait from 2012 to 2013, where as a specialist, Michelle had to take on the duties of a higher rank, working as a supply specialist and helping improve a private first class who was struggling with his physical fitness.

“There was a Soldier in Kuwait who she took under her wing,” Victoria said. “Michelle coached him with his physical fitness and helped him become a specialist while deployed.”

Throughout Michelle’s eight years in the military, she says she has always had role models to look up to.

“I’ve had multiple role models to look up too,” said Michelle. “Basically I just observed them and thought, ‘this is what I would want to be as a leader.”

“I have picked up little things here and there along the way and now I’m going to use them.”

Earning the rank of sergeant and entering the Army’s NCO Corps is no small feat. While additional responsibilities come with the rank, she is now taking on the role of a guide and mentor for junior enlisted soldiers in her section and in the unit as a whole.

As Michelle moves forward in her military career, she will be teaching her subordinates the functions of her job and bringing them up to the level of professionalism that she has reached over the course of time in the Army. She hopes to help train the next generation of professionals, NCOs, and leaders.

“It feels good to be a role model, but it kind of scares me at the same time,” said Michelle. “Everyone has improving to do and nobody’s perfect, but I think I’m ready to be that example for my fellow soldiers.”

• Date Taken: 10.29.2015
• Date Posted: 10.29.2015 05:50
• Story ID: 180277
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ
• Hometown: FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US