Photo By Capt. Michael Wallace | 1st Sgt. Connie Brannock is used to the Kuwait weather, as she's a native of Arizona.... read more read more
By Capt. Mike Wallace
377th Theater Support Command (Forward)
CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - It's a demanding job being first sergeant with all the issues associated in supervising Soldiers. The job includes ensuring Soldier care and handling their training - mothering - in a way. It is a challenge for just about anyone, but for 1st Sgt. Connie Brannock of 222 Transportation Company, this life is as rewarding as anything she's experienced in the past.
"I'm old enough to be most of the Soldier's mom in this unit," Brannock said, admitting that it's tough to keep her maternal instincts in check. "A lot of my Soldiers view me as their substitute 'mom', but I have to be fair and keep my discipline and control of the unit to the highest level."
Brannock, who is easily identified by her trademark bicycle she uses to transport herself from one area of the company to the other - checking on issues that pop up daily for a first sergeant. Her high energy and enthusiasm is usually associated with a younger person - something that she admits she is not.
She joined the Arizona National Guard n 1990 one week before she turned 35, leaving behind a life of a recording artist where she had a recording contract with MCA records. She entered a world where she was the oldest person in her basic training, military classes and physical training runs. But, this has never slowed her down. The bicycle enthusiast didn't mind a different life that had changed from moving sound amplifiers around while she was wearing in high heels to running a course in combat boots.
"I would rather travel on two wheels than anything else," she said, noting that she has successfully combined her two loves - being the first sergeant and peddling on two wheels.
Before her second deployment to Southwest Asia, Brannock commuted to work almost every day in a seven mile round trip on her preferred single speed bicycle. She has even competed in six triathlons and a biathlon where she finished with very respectful times using her 'full-throttle waddle'.
"I've been blessed with good health and have always been active, even before I joined the Arizona National Guard," Brannock said.
Staying physically fit is one of her priorities for herself and her soldiers. She has never scored below 262 on her physical fitness test (her all-time high was 372) and credits her love of biking to her good health. Soldiers have to stay fit, to stay physically and mentally prepared for their tasks she noted about being a first sergeant.
But, her main point is that she acknowledges that there have been many changes in the military since she joined - except for one thing.
"You have to treat everyone with respect. Never disregard their basic humanity and they will try harder for you. They will strive to perfect themselves when they see that you really do care about them and the unit," Brannock said.
| Date Taken: | 01.06.2002 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2007 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 8763 |
| Location: | CAMP VIRGINIA, KW |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 224 |
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