Photo By Spc. Devin Davis | U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Hennigan, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear...... read more read more
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FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – There are many reasons why people join the Army. Some people do it for education or to benefit themselves and their families – others for stability, family legacy and patriotism. Most of the time, it’s a combination of reasons. For Sgt. Adam Hennigan, it was for leadership and purpose.
“I wanted to challenge myself more in life,” said Hennigan, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist squad leader with the 71st Chemical Company, 303rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), 8th Military Police Brigade. “I wanted to work outside and be accountable for people.”
Prior to joining the Army, Hennigan was a pre-medical student focusing on pathology and health psychology. His goal was to work with the World Health Organization, which goes out to areas with diseases. However, first, Hennigan needed to complete his clinical rotations, which are required time all medical students spend as members of a medical team to learn their medical specialty.
“It’s a pretty common practice to build your portfolio. I wasn’t doing anything insanely crazy, just mostly lab work. It wasn’t as meaningful,” said Hennigan.
Thinking back to his brother in the Marine Corps and how significant his connection with his leaders was, Hennigan was inspired to change careers and join the Army. In his opinion, the modern healthcare industry is not about the people but rather more about risk reduction.
“I view my squad like my family. Their problems are my problems, and impacting them personally, on a day-to-day basis, is a value you can’t get all the time working in medicine,” said Hennigan.
Hennigan chose to join the Army as a CBRN specialist because his strong background in science.
“You have to know a lot of science for hazard assessment and stuff like that. We provide the chemical support for the whole theater in the Pacific,” said Hennigan. “I was used to getting things easy, but when I joined the military, I developed a get-out-and-earn-it mindset.”
Hennigan came into the Army with a high tempo. Within the span of three months in Hawaii, he was promoted to sergeant, and completed air assault and jungle school. On top of that, he also inspired his peers, some of whom are now his Soldiers, to take advantages of all the opportunities that the Army has to offer.
“I have known Sgt. Hennigan for about three years. We were in the same basic training and advanced individual training class,” said Spc. Cole Pennison, a CBRN specialist with 71st Chemical Company. “He always challenges our squads to do schools, courses, or anything we can to better our lives if we decide to reenlist or not.”
Hennigan believes that whether or not someone wants to be challenged is a personal choice. It starts the individual. To be successful at managing others Soldiers first must be successful at managing themselves. They have to be the example that they want people to follow. The accountability that’s required as a sergeant makes him a better person, leaving him feeling more fulfilled.
“I got sick of hearing the military sucks. I feel it’s on the junior leaders to feel accountable for their Soldiers. I care if they had a good experience in the military, and that makes them a better person. I want them to develop in a way that they get in a position in life, whatever their goal target is,” said Hennigan. “I think succeeding in small things here (the military) definitely builds your mindset to want more out there. What matters most is the life experience.”
According to Hennigan, the biggest challenge he faces in leadership is determining what is meaningful for somebody else and caring for that person beyond just what’s required. It’s difficult to evaluate what the right thing to do is sometimes.
“He (Hennigan) cooks for the whole squad at least once a month if not more,” said Pennison. “When the power goes out on Schofield Barracks, he always offers any help, but it’s not just then. It’s all the time.”
Hennigan prides himself on showing up for people and helping them plant seeds for their future. His motto is, “If you’re not going to opt in here (in the Army), I guarantee you won’t when you get out and you often won’t elsewhere.”
“Unless you hold a position as an officer or senior NCO, your civilian boss may not really care,” said Hennigan. “In the military you get medals and badges, but in the civilian world, where they don’t give out those awards and recognitions as often, you can still gage your value due to self-awareness.”
“Nobody can make you try. But when it’s time for people to count on you, what type of person do you want to be? A good leader is someone invested,” said Hennigan. “People getting out of the military sometime say to themselves the grass is greener on the other side, but don’t learn how to tend to their yard. They hope they get thrown into a good situation, but you have to earn that situation genuinely in life.”
Pennison has plans to work loan operations once he exits the Army. He’s currently working on his operations officer course, and has set himself up with a career skills program to give him mentorship and allow him to work in loan operations before he leaves the Army.
“I decided once I had my own family I would want to get out of the Army. Most leadership does not like to hear that, but Sgt. Hennigan has helped me strive to be the best I can be on the outside,” said Pennison. “Since day one, he has been there every step of the way ensuring I’m not slacking off.”
Unfortunately, not everyone in the Army takes advantage of the opportunities they are given. They just do their job, collect their check and go home. Sometimes looking beyond the task or work they are being asked to do can be beneficial.
“Just challenge yourself; it’s as simple as that. Whatever you try to do in life, fully engage in it. Build a strong work ethic and care about what you’re doing. A growth center mindset is contagious for the rest of your life,” said Hennigan.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2024 21:10 |
| Story ID: | 469559 |
| Location: | HI, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 8th MP squad leader finds purpose in Army, inspires Soldiers to do the same, by SPC Devin Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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