99th RSC soldier ‘walks with the gods’

Photo By Staff Sgt. Nicole Dykstra | Maj. Gen. William D. Razz Waff, commanding general of the 99th Regional Support Command, talks to a standing room only battle assembly hall during the Bronze Order of Mercury award presentation during the 99th RSC "Dauntless Call." The Bronze Order of Mercury recognizes those people who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence and selflessness, and who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the Signal Corps and the Signal Corps Regimental Association. In addition to the Bronze Order of Mercury, there is a Silver Order and a Gold Order. The Gold Order is only awarded posthumously.  

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, UNITED STATES

07.28.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Nicole Dykstra 

99th Readiness Division

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- One special soldier had the chance to walk with the gods when he was inducted into the Signal Corps Order of Mercury at the Maj. John P. Pryor Army Reserve Center.

Standing before more than 100 of his friends, coworkers and fellow Soldiers, Lt. Col. Danny Magpantay was awarded the Bronze Order of Mercury by Maj. Gen. William D. Razz Waff, commanding general of the 99th Regional Support Command.

Magpantay, the Soldier Readiness Processing team chief for the 99th RSC, has served in the Army for 25 years, 23 of those in the Signal Corps. Before joining the 99th RSC, Magpantay, a native of Dedeo, Guam, commanded 2nd Battalion, 356th Regiment, 5th Armored Brigade in Fort Lee, Va.

“It’s such a great feeling to be recognized,” said Magpantay. “All those years as a signaler, I felt I was just doing my job, but this is such an honor.”

The Bronze Order of Mercury recognizes those people who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence and selflessness, and who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the Signal Corps and the Signal Corps Regimental Association. In addition to the Bronze Order of Mercury, there is a Silver Order and a Gold Order. The Gold Order is only awarded posthumously.

The SCRA is a private, nonprofit organization that provides an opportunity for all active, Reserve, and National Guard officers, warrant officers, enlisted members and civilians, as well as any former members of the Signal Corps to aid in preserving for posterity the proud heritage of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Regiment, and signal units throughout the world.

Col. Andrew Burns, 99th RSC inspector general, nominated Magpantay for the Bronze Order of Mercury after he arrived at the 99th RSC. A member of both the Distinguished Order of St. George and the Distinguished Order of St. Martin for contributions in the Armor and Quartermaster Corps respectively, Burns appreciated Magpantay’s excellence and wanted to see him acknowledged for it.

“In conversation with him and after seeing the great job that he is doing with the SRP Team, I approached him because I am a firm believer in the Quartermaster and Armor/Cavalry Associations,” said Burns. “These organizations are designed to recognize the outstanding achievements of personnel within their branches as well as keeping their members informed for the latest lessons-learned that are germane to that branch. These organizations also function as the social fiber for like-minded officers and NCOs.”

In addition to serving the Signal Corps community in the U.S., Magpantay has lent his expertise to international signal troops as well. In 2008, his team, under direction of the United States Military Training Mission, was responsible for training all signal officers and non-commissioned officers in the Royal Saudi Land Force in Saudi Arabia. His team instructed the Saudi soldiers in tactical communications doctrine and helped improve situational awareness for future combat effectiveness, said Magpantay.

Although his current assignment with the 99th RSC SRP team has taken him away from the Signal Corps community, Magpantay hopes he’ll have the opportunity to return.

“I’d really like to get back to the signal community one day, not just as a trainer but as an adviser,” he said. “I’d like to help ensure the high standards of the Signal Corps are continuously being met.”

The 99th RSC acts as a “virtual installation” that provides world-class Base Operations support to over 50,000 Army Reserve Soldiers, 400 units and 300 facilities for the entire northeast region from Maine to Virginia for the Army Reserve in order to give its warrior-citizens and their families the finest care, support, services and training.

To see more photos from this event and to learn more about the 99th RSC, visit:

Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/99thrsc/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/99thRSC
Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/pao99thrsc
Visit the SCRA website at: http://www.signalcorps.org/.

• Date Taken: 07.28.2011
• Date Posted: 08.03.2011 10:09
• Story ID: 74757
• Location: JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US