19-year Army vet serves as detachment first sergeant for deployed air defense unit

Photo By Sgt. Marsha Millikin | Sgt. 1st Class Holland F. Mabes III is the first sergeant for the Echo Detachment of the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. Here he is pictured on May 15. To do first sergeant duties, Mabes has to assist the commander in planning, coordinating and supervising all activities that support the unit mission, the official Army first sergeant job description states. He has to advise the commander on enlisted Soldier matters to include duty assignments, promotions and reductions, leave programs, military justice, privileges, awards, welfare and recreational activities, human relations, equal opportunity and alcohol and drug abuse concerns. Mabes is deployed from the 1-7 ADA at Fort Bragg, N.C., and his hometown is Walnut Cove, N.C.  

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06.03.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- On any given day during his deployment to a non-disclosed base here, Sgt. 1st Class Holland F. Mabes III will tell you his priority is "taking care of the Soldiers."

As the first sergeant for the Echo Detachment of the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, many of Mabes' troops often refer to him as "Top." In the Army and Marine Corps, the first sergeant is often referred to as "Top," or "Top Kick." Military lore states, 'The nickname has obvious roots in that the first sergeant is the 'top' enlisted person in the unit, and a 'kick in the pants' [not literally, at least in today's military] is a motivation tool to get the troops into gear."

To do first sergeant duties, Mabes has to assist the commander in planning, coordinating and supervising all activities that support the unit mission, the official Army first sergeant job description states. He has to advise the commander on enlisted Soldier matters to include duty assignments, promotions and reductions, leave programs, military justice, privileges, awards, welfare and recreational activities, human relations, equal opportunity and alcohol and drug abuse concerns.

In first sergeant duty, Mabes also coordinates unit administration to include submission of required reports, vehicular support, supply and food service activities. He also provides counsel and guidance to subordinate personnel and assists in inspection of, or conducts inspection of unit activities and facilities, observes discrepancies and initiates corrective action.

In all, Mabes said, the most important thing about first sergeant duty is "taking care of the Soldiers."

"It's a great feeling to have the privilege to serve as the first sergeant for our unit," said Mabes, who is deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., and whose hometown is Walnut Cove, N.C.

In his more than 19 years of service to the Army, Mabes said he was proud to make the military a career. He added that he's also proud to serve while deployed.

"It's an honor to serve and an honor to serve in the deployed environment for our nation," he said.

The 1-7 ADA is known as the "No Fear" battalion, according to its official history. The battalion is part of the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. The battalion displays 35 battle streamers ranging from the North African desert and the plains of Europe during World War II, the frozen battlefields of Korea, the jungles and highlands of Vietnam, the deserts of Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm to more recently with support for operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 06.03.2010
• Date Posted: 06.03.2010 07:01
• Story ID: 50769
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)