Photo By Patrick Buffett | Command Sgt. Maj. Patricio Cardona earned the Arthur Gregg Award for academic excellence.... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (May 25, 2017) -- Exemplifying his belief that Soldiers should be “champions of civilian education,” Command Sgt. Maj. Patricio Cardona, 16th Ordnance Battalion CSM, has been selected for the Arthur Gregg Award from Excelsior College in recognition of maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
“Sergeant Major Cardona’s career and academic success are true examples of why this honor was created,” read the narrative of the award nomination written by Susan McIntosh, military consultant at Excelsior.
“He has faithfully served over 24 years in the Army,” she wrote. “He always puts his Soldiers first. … He has reached the highest rank an enlisted Soldier can achieve. … He has been accepted into Excelsior’s Masters of Science in Management program (with coursework now underway). He comes with my highest recommendation for his selfless service to others, his strong academic record and his outstanding military career of leadership and dedication to his country.”
The Arthur Gregg Award is presented annually to an active duty service member who “demonstrates outstanding academic, career and professional achievement.” It is named after retired Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg, emeriti member of Excelsior College’s Board of Trustees. He retired from active duty in 1981, and then served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics in Washington, D.C. Gregg has more than 44 years of professional experience, having held senior-level management and command positions in the military and industry.
Noting his selection for the award was “totally unexpected,” Cardona said he appreciates the many ways in which local institutions of higher learning support and recognize the service of military personnel.
“What I want to share is the tremendous sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving educational goals,” he continued. “It fills me with honor and pride to be recognized with this award, but that’s in addition to what I’m already feeling about earning my degree and being able to move on to the master’s program.”
Cardona also said he believes it’s a senior leader’s duty to encourage subordinates to set and achieve civilian education goals with the intent to further their military careers while establishing a foundation for life after the Army.
“I know it’s not always easy,” he acknowledged. “Balancing my time between CSM responsibilities and achieving educational goals is one of the hardest tasks I’ve encountered. There have been many long nights studying while already mentally exhausted from my normal duties. Of course, the Army mission comes first, so it’s a constant assessment process to work out ways to concurrently achieve both goals.”
Harkening back to a key element of the Gregg Award selection process – demonstrated professional excellence – and McIntosh’s testament of selfless service, Cardona’s final comment could have been predicted.
“I hope this article inspires others to achieve their own academic aspirations,” he said, “and encourages those with influence over others to exalt the importance of education.”
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2017 13:40 |
| Story ID: | 235282 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 438 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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