Photo By Noriko Kudo | U.S. Army Garrison Japan Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Meeker, left, salutes fallen service...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP ZAMA, Japan – As the Army’s 250th birthday celebration approaches, a Soldier and leader here took time to reflect on his life and military career, which are woven into the very fabric of service.
Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Meeker, the senior enlisted adviser for U.S. Army Garrison Japan, recently spoke on themes like honorable service, family legacy and a passion for leadership that are all very personal to him, and with which his relationship has grown and evolved over the years.
Meeker hails from the small southern Illinois town of Metropolis. Growing up with his younger brothers there, he enjoyed an adventurous childhood filled with typical outdoor activities — riding bikes, playing sports, and camping in the woods behind his house.
These experiences instilled in him a deep love of freedom and exploration — values that later influenced his determination to serve his country, he said.
Military service runs deep in Meeker’s family, including both his parents; his uncles, who served in the Vietnam War; and his grandfather, who served in the Navy during World War II.
“I always knew that I was going to join the service,” Meeker said.
Meeker enlisted in the Marines at 18 after graduating high school, which he said marked the beginning of a profound growth for him. He recalls that he was immature at that age and, like many young people, made mistakes. However, the structure of military service amplified the discipline his parents instilled in him, which helped him focus on accomplishing the mission, he said.
Meeker completed his enlistment with the Marines. One night a few months later, he found himself working on a towboat in the extreme cold during Super Bowl weekend. It was then he knew he had to make a change, so he made the decision to join the Army.
As a Marine, Meeker’s job was as a motor vehicle operator. In the Army, he enlisted as an armor crewman, a career change that satisfied his childhood thrill for adventure by giving him the chance to operate a tank.
“Who else can say they ride on their primary weapon system?” Meeker said.
From the beginning of his military career to his current service as a senior noncommissioned officer, Meeker said he continues to receive invaluable lessons from the influential leaders he met in both services.
“Both the Marines and the Army taught me how to be more than I thought I could be,” he said.
Now 54, Meeker continues to evolve as a senior leader at USAG Japan. He said he often sees parallels between his duties in the Army and the responsibility of raising his daughters, applying techniques he learned leading Soldiers to his home life and vice versa. This unique dual perspective has enhanced his role as both a leader and a family man, he said.
For Meeker, his pride in being part of the Army team is palpable. He sees it as a culmination of history and dedication from America’s forefathers and the Soldiers of Gen. Washington’s Continentals to the Soldiers who fought in the Civil War, the Mexican American War, the Plains Wars, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the Global War on Terrorism.
“Our citizens have always answered the call of our nation and have given all they have for her to remain free,” Meeker said. “It is an awesome thing to be a part of. America’s Army is the greatest fighting force the world has ever known.”
Meeker said he recognizes the vital importance of his current role at USAG Japan, especially considering the Army’s focus on the Indo-Pacific region. His priority is taking care of Soldiers and their families and ensuring they have everything they need to accomplish their objectives, he said.
“I take immense pride in the garrison team of Soldiers, civilians and local-national employees who contribute tirelessly to ensure that Camp Zama community members have everything to make their tour in Japan successful,” Meeker said. “I cannot think of another unit I would like to be a part of.”
As the Army celebrates its legacy of 250 years, it is also an opportunity to honor Soldiers like Meeker, whose journey embodies the spirit of resilience, dedication and a relentless striving for excellence — all of which are a testament to the Army’s values.
| Date Taken: | 06.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2025 21:21 |
| Story ID: | 499690 |
| Location: | ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From small town to big mission: Senior NCO in Japan reflects on career during Army’s 250th year, by Noriko Kudo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
