First Army officer to receive prestigious MacArthur Award

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

05.20.2019

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Darron Salzer 

First Army

FORT KNOX, Ky. – A First Army Division East Soldier, Capt. Ryan Griffin, aide de camp for the commanding general, has been selected as one of 28 officers to receive the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award during a ceremony to be held at the Pentagon later this year.

The prestigious award recognizes the demonstrated leadership and contributions of company-grade officers and warrant officers to their units, and is awarded to individuals from across all three components of the Army.

Surprised and humbled was how Griffin said he felt when he found out he had been selected.

“When you look at the caliber of people nominated for [this award] they are truly some of the best leaders in our Army,” he said. “They represent an amazing cross-section of our Army’s leaders … any one of whom would have been totally deserving of this award.”

Because of the level of accomplishments among the nominees, Griffin said the selection process couldn’t have been easy.

“The people being selected for this award are all very accomplished in their careers and as individuals,” he said.

“It’s got to be tough to make a decision of one person over another,” he said of the selection board, adding he did not envy board members for having to choose which nominees would move forward.

The process for selection included nomination packets highlighting an officer’s achievements throughout his or her career, a memo of nomination, their most recent evaluation and Army Physical Fitness test results.

Within U.S. Army Forces Command, nominees also participated in a competition in November that included a series of events that pushed them mentally and physically.

“It was one of the best parts of the experience for me,” Griffin said of the competition. “I was able to meet a few of the other [nominees] and we were able to have some great conversations about our successes and failures, how much we have learned from varying experiences, and what different leaders had taught us through our time in the Army.”

Experiences such as these have helped shape Griffin as a leader.

“We serve the Soldiers under our command and care as a leader,” he said.

“This award is not a testament to you as an individual,” he said. “It is a testament to the Soldiers, [noncommissioned officers] and officers who you’ve served with and who have made you successful through their own service, mentorship, leadership and commitment to the profession.”

Thankful of the contributions made by the men and women whom he has served with, Griffin said one thing will be on his mind as he accepts his award later this year.

“To continue to be a worthy recipient of the award,” he said, “and to continue to serve and learn, and to approach experiences with a sense of curiosity and humility.”

The Douglas MacArthur Leadership Awards ceremony is scheduled for June 21, 2019, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2019
• Date Posted: 05.23.2019 12:25
• Story ID: 323103
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US