Subscribe
COMBAT OUTPOST LION, Afghanistan - Deep in the horn of the Panjwa’i district lies a small combat outpost where a 21-year-old Chicago native oversees and protects his fellow soldiers with a .50-caliber, squad automatic weapon and a set of binoculars from an entry control point.
Pfc. Frank Franco is an Infantryman, assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He is part of an infantry team that helped build a small combat outpost in the westernmost point of Southern Kandahar province, Afghanistan two and a half months ago.
With the lack of life’s daily amenities such as hot water, showers and computers, Franco said the best part of his job is working with his comrades and knowing that he is making a difference in that area.
Franco joined the military in 2010 after being impressed by the Army’s television advertisements.
“It’s good knowing that you are serving your country proud,” Franco said. “It was something that I always wanted to do ever since I was a child.”
With nearly two years of experience as an infantryman, Franco has shown qualities and standards of a non-commissioned officer and as a team leader.
Franco recalled one of his first leadership experiences; after a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle struck an improvised explosive device, Franco drove his Stryker vehicle toward the burning MRAP and helped those who were still trapped inside. After securing the injured in his Stryker vehicle, Franco quickly restored the flow of traffic by pushing the MRAP with his Stryker to the side.
He said that he could not have done it without the support of his platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan B. McCain. McCain was killed in action last November in southern Afghanistan.
“No matter the situation, my platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class McCain always instilled confidence within me,” he said.
Similar to his late platoon sergeant, Franco is well respected and depended upon by the non-commissioned officers of his platoon.
“Franco displays qualities of a non-commissioned officer. He shows concern for his comrades when they are in need of help and completes tasks without being told to,” said Sgt. Rafael Santos, Franco’s squad leader and New York native. “His initiative and motivation is seen among his peers. He is the type of soldier; we need in the military to lead our future soldiers.”
When asked about incoming soldiers joining the military, Franco hopes aspiring soldiers listen to the advice of their NCOs. He also mentioned bonding with fellow soldiers is very important during a deployment.
“Being out in this outpost, my platoon has learned a lot about each other,” he said. “We created a brotherhood that no one will understand. I watch their backs, and they watch mine.”
For now, Franco continues to pull guard duty and volunteers for any task when not on patrol.
When asked about one thing he misses back in the states, he said he cannot wait for his mother’s cooking.
| Date Taken: | 01.01.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2012 11:16 |
| Story ID: | 82421 |
| Location: | COMBAT OUTPOST LION, AF |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Young, enlisted soldier displays NCO qualities, by SSG Nazly Confesor, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
