Staff Sgt. Cody Chester's Promotion

Photo By Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt | Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Williamson, outgoing senior enlisted advisor for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, promotes Sgt. Cody Chester, the mascot for 3 ABCT, 1 AD, to staff sergeant at the brigade headquarters Jan. 11. Staff Sgt. Cody Chester has been trained by Pfc. Mitchell Duncan, the brigade command sergeant major’s driver, 3 ABCT, 1 AD, for the last four months. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

01.11.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Cody Chester was not always worthy to wear the rank of staff sergeant. However, on January 11, 2018 he earned the traditional promotion.
Chester, an American bulldog, is the mascot for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. He needed to make an improvement in behavior and physical fitness before being considered for promotion.
“It’s been a tradition for the brigade CSM, once they leave, to promote Sgt. Chester to the next rank,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Williamson, outgoing senior enlisted advisor for 3 ABCT, 1 AD. “Starting out, Chester had some difficulties a couple years ago. He was a specialist and then finally made sergeant. We had to get him trimmed down. He actually earned the next rank after passing his PT test, which was the division run.”
His official dog handler, Pfc. Mitchell Duncan, the brigade command sergeant major’s driver had a difficult feat ahead of him when first taking on the mission as Chester’s trainer.
“When I took him over, he was unruly,” said Duncan. “He was biting, running around, and pulling people. When I took him over, I focused all my energy on training him and making him disciplined.”
Duncan trained Chester using Vienna sausages and now he loves them.
“I have to put a bunch of them in my pocket and wait until its soaking wet, said Duncan. “Then, I just point to it and run.”
This may or may not be the reason Chester was able to pass his Army Physical Fitness Test, hinted Duncan.
“Chester is unique because he is the only canine who is a mascot on the property books in the entire Army,” said Duncan.
As a mascot, he doesn’t only attend all official functions, he also participates in battalion safety briefs and makes appearances at behavioral health to bring patients a smile, said Duncan.
“Chester represents the Bulldog Soldiers’ tenacity and resilience,” said Duncan.
Now, Chester will have even more responsibilities as the brigade’s newest staff sergeant.
As Williamson departs 3 ABCT, he has no doubt that Chester will fulfill those responsibilities.
“He’s come a long way,” said Williamson.

• Date Taken: 01.11.2018
• Date Posted: 01.15.2018 20:18
• Story ID: 262097
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US