By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – During a World War II battle in Holtzwihr, France, Audie Murphy, a wounded U.S. Soldier, climbed inside of a burning tank, took a spot behind a .50-caliber machine gun and fired until the enemy was vanquished.
At the age of 19, he was awarded the Medal of Honor and, to this day, is an inspiration to military leaders, Soldiers – and Sgt. 1st Class Ernest Oberst.
"As a kid, I used to watch the Audie Murphy Biography 'To Hell and Back' on TV, and I wanted to be a Soldier, said Oberst, native of Gladstone, Mich., who joined the Army three months after graduating high school. "He was my hero."
Oberst is a platoon sergeant with 1st Platoon, Company B, 52nd Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
He is responsible for all 33 Soldiers in his platoon. He's required to take care of administration paperwork, lead patrols, make sure each Soldier has the equipment they need and take care of any issues that may arise, whether personal or work related.
"I do anything a mom or dad does," he said jokingly.
Oberst has served in the U.S. Army for 14 years and developed a great deal of knowledge. He said he believes the best way to lead his Soldiers is by setting an example for them and sharing the load.
"You can't just supervise, you have to be a part of the team," he said "If my Soldiers are out digging for caches, you won't find me sitting in the truck; I'm an able body that can work, and I'll be out there digging with them."
His Soldiers describe him as a well-rounded leader who maintains discipline and has the ability of doing the right thing at the right time, every time.
"No matter what the mission is, Oberst is the first one on the ground and the last one back in the vehicle. That's just his style," said Cpl. Zachary Manuel, a Pickerington, Ohio, native, with 1st Pltn., Co. B, 52nd Inf. Regt.
Sgt. Lucas Collins, native of Manchester, Ga., said Oberst will give any Soldier a chance to succeed.
"When I came into this unit, I had two blown-out knees," said Collins, a team leader. "In the infantry, you are looked at as done. I was going to be chaptered out, but he gave me the chance to get better."
Three years later, Collins is awaiting promotion to staff sergeant and said a great amount of what he's learned is attributable to Oberst.
"He has shown me that taking care of my Soldiers is number one," he said. "And if something needs to be done, make sure it gets done."
Oberst not only makes sure the job gets done, but he ensures the job gets done right the first time.
Throughout the years, Oberst has gained the respect of his fellow Soldiers and those he mentors as well as discovered the key elements essential to be good leader.
"He requires the best out of his men and expects nothing less," said Manuel. "For that reason, he gets the best."
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