Photo By Darriel Swatts | Sgt. Marija Zink works on a computer in a hangar at Camp Taji, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Marija Zink, with the 8th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, Flying Tigers, received a battlefield promotion from specialist to sergeant on June 11 for her ability to effectively work above her pay grade while stationed in Iraq.
Zink is trained as a chemical operations specialist, explained Command Sgt. Maj. Sammy Sablan, the top non-commissioned officer for the 8-229th ARB. “Yet with no previous aviation maintenance experience, her ability to prioritize and manage made her the perfect choice early on for the position of PC (production control) clerk.”
The PC office is responsible for managing all aspects of maintenance for more than 50 aircraft and five types of airframes from four battalions. As the PC clerk, Zink, a Scottsburg, Ind., native, was noticed for performing outstanding work and was handpicked by her leadership for the battlefield promotion.
“Zink has progressed in her abilities so rapidly and flawlessly that she now finds herself operating in the capacity of PC NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge); a sergeant first class position. She exhibits leadership qualities that never fail to impress the senior maintainers and maintenance officers in and out of the battalion,” Sablan said. “Her quick thinking and ability to handle crisis management in the PC office make her the perfect soldier for this very demanding senior NCO position.”
Battlefield promotions were discontinued by the Army after the Vietnam War, but were brought back in 2009 and are available only to enlisted soldiers. The promotions are used to promote an individual soldier one grade, to at most the rank of staff sergeant. Battlefield promotions do not involve a promotion board and do not require the soldier to meet time-in-service or time-in-grade requirements.
“Back home I work at a hospital doing admin and clerical work, so I had some experience with this kind of work,” said Zink, who has been in the Army for more than five years and was a specialist for eight months.
“At first I was doing what I could to help. Then as I learned more, I did more. Then when people started recognizing me for my work, it motivated me to do better. One thing led to another and I got my promotion.”
Zink is deployed to Iraq with her husband, Spc. Michael Zink, and her brother-in-law, Spc. Matthew Zink.
“I love being deployed here with my wife,” said Michael, a crew chief with A Company, 8-229. “And the fact that she got recognized for her work by getting a battlefield promotion is amazing. She has less than one year of aviation experience and is doing this well. She’s earned it 100 percent.”
Marija Zink was recognized for her work prior to receiving her battlefield promotion by receiving the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Soldier of the Week award during the second week of May.
“She has stepped up and proven herself time and time again,” said Sablan. “She is, without a doubt, the most talented specialist (now sergeant) I have seen in my 24 years of military service.”
The 8-229 is an Army Reserve attack reconnaissance helicopter battalion from Fort Knox, Ky. The battalion is currently attached to the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, which is on a yearlong deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2011 10:33 |
| Story ID: | 73718 |
| Location: | CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 489 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Flying Tiger receives battlefield promotion, by Darriel Swatts, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
