Monticello Soldier named Soldier of the Month

Photo By Staff Sgt. Emily Suhr | Sgt. Matthew J. Russell of Monticello, Miss., is named the 106th Brigade Support Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard Soldier of the Month Aug. 26 at Camp Taji, Iraq.  

TAJI, IRAQ

08.26.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily Suhr 

106th Brigade Support Battalion

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Sgt. Matthew J. Russell of Monticello, Miss., claimed the esteemed title of "Soldier of the Month" Aug. 26 on Camp Taji, Iraq.

Russell, who is serving as a Camp Taji Garrison Command human resources non-commissioned officer with the 106th Brigade Support Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard, was selected from among his peers to compete for the honor. During the competition, Russell was challenged with a series of questions designed to test his knowledge as a Soldier and an NCO.

"When I first found out that we were going to be holding a 'Soldier of the Month' competition, I started studying up on Army regulations and standard operating procedures," said Russell. "This was a great learning experience for me and it helped me to brush up on certain things that I haven't dealt with in a while. All in all it was a great educational tool."

Russell beat out six other Soldiers from the 106th BSB for the title. He is the first winner in a competition that will become a monthly event while the 155th BCT is deployed to Iraq.

This is Russell's second deployment with the 106th BSB. When not deployed, Russell works full time for the 106th BSB as an assistant human resources NCO. He is married to BreighAnna and has a 2-year-old daughter named Marleigh Grace.

• Date Taken: 08.26.2009
• Date Posted: 09.21.2009 05:15
• Story ID: 39073
• Location: TAJI, IQ