Photo By Staff Sgt. Melanie Trollinger | Sgt. Diana M. Parker (left), a signal satellite communications specialist with the...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — For Sgt. Diana M. Parker, a Santa Ana, Calif., native, serving in Iraq with the 130th Engineer Brigade, her deployment is an opportunity to impact other people's lives.
Joining the military five years ago, she is now on her second deployment to Iraq, setting a positive example, not only for her peers and subordinates, but her brothers back home.
A signal satellite communications specialist, Sgt. Parker works with the 130th Eng. Bde.'s combat security team, whose primary responsibility is to provide security for the brigade commander and command sergeant major "outside the wire." Hand selected for the CST based on her military occupation specialty, training and previous deployment experience, she performs critical communications tasks for the team, ensuring secure internal and external communications systems are working properly while on mission. She also escorts Command Sgt. Major Dale A. Moran during his numerous battlefield circulations and key leader engagements.
Critical to the team's success, each member undergoes extensive training and must be proficient in all areas of the team's mission. Any one team member can perform any job on the team. Whether it's mechanic, driving, acting as a convoy truck commander or manning a vehicle turret with a .50 calibre machine gun, Sgt. Parker, with over 42 missions under her belt this deployment, is one of numerous team members who ensure the command sergeant major is protected at all times.
A stressful job at times, her previous deployment experience gives her an advantage. From January 2007 to March 2008, Sgt. Parker spent her time in Baghdad where she went out on more than 700 missions with the 82nd Airborne Division, as part of a Joint Security Team. Performing what she termed "soft knock" and "hard knock" missions, she went through neighborhoods knocking on doors, speaking to residents about terrorist activities. She even kicked her first door in during a "hard knock" mission where the Soldiers had to go in after a suspected insurgent.
"Baghdad was a hot zone then. It was very dangerous, but I feel the unit I was with made a big difference. We built a relationship with residents and they were willing to give us the information we needed," she said.
Sgt. Parker said her proficiency in numerous areas has helped her military career. Recently going before a promotion board, Sgt. Parker was recommended for promotion to staff sergeant. She was also selected to go before the brigade's Non-commissioned Officer of the Month board, where she earned the distinction of becoming November's NCO of the Month.
"These boards meant a lot to me. I had to show I was ready and have the skills needed for the next rank," she said. "One of the reasons I joined the military was to be a role model and inspiration to my brothers, to set an example of staying on the right track."
Studying extensively for both boards, Sgt. Parker spent countless hours reading about leadership, weapons, physical fitness, battle focus training, first aid, military schools and sponsorship programs to name a few.
"It was difficult balancing the two different requirements for the two boards. You have to study everything. The point is to be well-rounded and proficient in everything in the military. You have to have that knowledge to pass on to your Soldiers.
"I was very nervous, a little anxious. I really wanted to win. I worked very hard and I wanted to show my Soldiers that hard work pays off." Sgt. Parker said.
Staff Sgt. Durell Marshall, CST squad leader, said he is not surprised Sgt. Parker was successful at both boards.
"She is one of the most initiative driven NCOs there is," he said.
Planning to stay in and retire from the Army, Sgt. Parker eventually would like to go to Ft. Jackson, S.C., as a drill instructor.
"You can't set a good example unless you live a good example," Sgt. Parker said.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2009 05:08 |
| Story ID: | 42823 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 404 |
| Downloads: | 336 |
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