Pride and motivation

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION WARRIOR, IRAQ

08.23.2011

Story by Sgt. Kandi Huggins 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Enlisted soldiers test their knowledge and military bearing by participating in Soldier of the Month boards. Winners are normally those who are able to overcome the board’s greatest obstacle: themselves.

One “Destroyer” soldier from 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, said confidence and knowledge allowed her to win not only her company-level board, but also her battalion board.

Pfc. Tiffany Harris, food service specialist, Company G, 1st Bn., 5th FA, said her greatest challenge since being a soldier has been a struggle with herself and her attitude.

“I didn’t think I would have been considered for [a] board because I used to have an issue with my attitude and sassiness,” said the St. Louis native. “Whenever I felt something was unfair, I would just react to it. I’ve learned maintain my military bearing, and composure and go about the proper way of handling situations.”

Harris’ peers and leaders have noticed the change.

“Her disrespectful attitude left after I became her platoon sergeant… now what she shows is a pride and respect for herself,” said Staff Sgt. Paul Martin, platoon sergeant, 1st Bn., 5th FA.

While the board proved to be stressful for her, Harris said she was grateful for the sergeants in her company who helped and studied with her.

“I got a lot of advice when I was preparing for the board, and my sergeants would tell me the board members were soldiers and people just like I was,” said Harris. “I had to study a lot… but winning allowed me to accomplish something I thought I could never do.”

The confidence is translating into her job performance.

“She definitely feels more secure in her position and understanding more about the Army,” said Martin, a Miami native. “This deployment alone has helped her understand a lot more than just her job because all she did at garrison was cook. Now she’s become more diversified with not just the board, but working outside of her job to get more experience.”

Harris also attributed her success to her biggest motivation, her one-year-old daughter.

“She is my strongest motivation,” Harris said. “Half the stuff I do, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have her because she makes me look beyond myself so that I can provide for her.”

Since Harris deployed to Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, in support of Operation New Dawn, Martin said she has worked at the class one yard, in operations, as a driver for guard mounts, and in the dining facility.

He said she is definitely multi-tasking, and everything she is doing will give her experience through other means than just training.

“She definitely has an edge on her peers,” said Martin. “I try to tell all the soldiers they have to continuously gain knowledge, they have to get schools and go to boards, because boards are a plus and are helpful.”

A lot of people are scared to do it, but as they continue to participate in boards, it will help develop their confidence and knowledge, even if they don’t win. If they do win, it will be one thing that will set them aside from their peers, especially when being selected for certain positions and duties, he said.

While Harris said she currently plans to stay enlisted and grow through the non-commissioned officer ranks, she has also considering going to school and becoming a officer.

“I want to conquer every aspect of the Army,” said Harris. “The higher I get enlisted, the more I’ll do things I never thought I could do, and the more experience I will have. I want to conquer everything I possibly can, but still have the competence and experience when dealing with soldiers to tell them I did what you did and that’s why I’m here.”

Harris is not the only 1st Bn., 5th FA, soldier to win a recent board.

“Since 2009 our company has won every soldier and NCO board,” said Martin. “That shows our NCOs want our Soldiers to improve and to continue improving throughout their career. Harris can definitely do anything she wants to do and nothing can stop her.”

Overall, Harris said the experiences she gained in her two years of being in the Army continually shows her growth as a person and as a soldier.

“I need to be able to grow, to stay in the Army, to provide for my baby, and develop my career,” said Harris. “The more I try to do things I don’t think I can do and accomplish them, the more I feel I can do anything.

“I know the areas I need to work on, and I’m improving on them, but as far as anything else, it is mine and I’m going to take it.”

• Date Taken: 08.23.2011
• Date Posted: 08.23.2011 12:13
• Story ID: 75789
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION WARRIOR, IQ