FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq — The I Corps command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank A. Grippe, continues to raise morale in junior-enlisted Soldiers with a visit to Forward Operating Base Warrior and Joint Service Station McHenry, where he and Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels, command sergeant major of 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, recognized outstanding Soldiers, patrolled Hawija and attended a reenlistment ceremony for Soldiers of the Ready First Combat Team, Feb. 3.
Grippe reminded the Soldiers that they were a part of a very important mission in Kirkuk, and that he is very proud of each of them for choosing the path of the Army.
To show his true appreciation to some outstanding Soldiers, Grippe handed out his First Corps coin with a promise that the coin will "self-destruct" unless a promotion of the Soldier occurs within six months.
The Soldiers that received these coins were elected by their leadership.
Six of the Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment of the RFCT that received a coin were a part of the patrol unit that took Grippe and Command Sgt. Maj. Daniels throughout Hawija.
During this patrol the command sergeants major were able to speak to citizens of Hawija about how they felt about security in the area.
All of the citizens responded in the same way, the help of the U.S. Forces is no longer needed in the area the Iraqi security forces are in the lead.
After the patrol, Grippe was able to witness the reenlistment of three Soldiers of the RFCT.
After this reenlistment, Grippe spoke to the Soldiers about the importance of seasoned Soldiers staying in the military.
Saying, "These are the Soldiers we need in our Army today, these Soldiers will be great leaders because they will have many opportunities to interact and train other Soldiers and Iraqi security forces."
According to Soldiers from HHC, 1-37 AR, this day will not be one they forget.
The Soldiers spoke of how they now know how truly important their mission here is and how they will work even harder to keep their coins from self-destructing by getting promoted as soon as they can.
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