Soldier Profile: Staff Sgt. Ronald Gloss

Photo By Sgt. George Welcome | Staff Sgt. Ronald Gloss, a transportation management coordinator with 96th Aviation Support Battalion, is one of the Soldiers responsible for the coordination of movement of personnel and equipment for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.  

10.30.2008

Story by Sgt. George Welcome 

101st Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. George Welcome
101st Combat Aviation Brigade

An important factor in the Army's success in any conflict is its ability to move troops and equipment anywhere in the world at any given time.

It's no small feat getting the Army's assets moved from one part of the world to another; it takes considerable effort on the part of the Soldiers responsible for arranging and managing movement.

Staff Sgt. Ronald Gloss, an 88 N (transportation management coordinator) with Headquarters Company, 96th Aviation Support Battalion is one of the Soldiers responsible for making sure the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade's people and equipment gets moved across the battle space and other places in the world.

"I joined the Army for a number of reasons; the most important one was that I joined during a time when Iraq was threatening our freedom. I also needed something more out of life," Gloss explained. "I needed structure in my life, and I needed a challenge so I could set my life straight and make sure that I didn't get caught up into the things that people get into. I was rough around the edges, and I knew the Army would straighten me out, and it did.

When he first went to the recruiter's office in his hometown of Fredonia, N.Y., Gloss was shown three short videos of different jobs the Army had to offer. He was drawn to the 88 N video clip because he thought the job would give him the responsibility and challenge he was looking for. Now 7 years later, he says he still enjoys the challenges his job provides.

"Every day is different," Gloss said of his job. "When I walk through the door I might have no idea what I will be asked to do, come up with, or produce. I often hear people saying how they get tired of doing the same old job, but it's not like that for me."

One of the most challenging aspects of coordinating so much movement is getting units to understand the process of how things get moved throughout the theater.

"A major challenge is units trying to move personnel and equipment and not being certain how it's done," said Gloss. "Sometimes I don't get all the information I need in a timely manner to make that happen. If units want to move people by air, I have to put in a request with the MCT 96 hours out.

The biggest challenge for the units is prior planning. A lot of times they need to move stuff and want to do it fast, but they don't realize that their piece is very small when you look at the big picture and limited resources that we have in Afghanistan."

When he's not working, Gloss enjoys spending his free time talking to his wife and other family members. He also likes to socialize with other Soldiers.

"I like talking with people and socializing," said Gloss. "I like calling my wife, my brother and my dad. Those are the people who are really important in my life, so I'll call home every day; I'll spend the 20 cents a minute [on the call] I don't care. It helps me stay in contact with them. Every opportunity I get when I go home on leave, I go and visit family just so I can get reconnected with them. Family is very important to me."

Gloss says that his family is extremely supportive of his military career, even though his duty often keeps them apart.

"They understand," he said of his family. "My dad was in the Navy, my younger brother and sister-in-law are in the Army, and my youngest brother served in the Air force. Every single member of my family is 100 percent supportive of me being in the military. They are so supportive to a point that I almost don't understand it, because sometimes I lose touch and there are things that happen in their lives that I don't even get to know about."

Looking back over the past months, Gloss says that this deployment has been challenging due to all the moving parts and coordination, but has also been easy because he has been granted autonomy to make many decisions, and works with a great team.

"I'll be happy and satisfied when we are all back at Fort Campbell in our respective places, and all the equipment is back there, safe and sound with no losses. That would be awesome."

As for the continuation of his career, Gloss says he plans to stay in the Army past 20 years.

"My intention is to stay as long as the Army will let me," stated Gloss. "I love the Army, it's been fun."

• Date Taken: 10.30.2008
• Date Posted: 10.30.2008 08:52
• Story ID: 25724