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By Sgt. Maj. Donald W. Troxler Jr.
U.S. Forces-Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan - On Nov. 6, 1985, I entered the U.S. Army and completed military police basic and advanced individual training at Fort McClellan, Ala. I left basic/AIT with energy and the career choice “fit to fight!” Upon arrival at my first duty assignment, 2nd Armored Division (Forward), Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, Garlstedt, Germany, I found leadership that made time (almost too much) to make me a soldier.
I spent so much time in field training (approximately seven months each year for my first two years), that I became uncomfortable when I had time to spend in the barracks. When I was not in the field, I performed law and order operations with little to no down time between field and garrison duty.
I quickly learned how to stay out of trouble by witnessing the infractions of seniors and peers. I watched leadership become stripped of rank and responsibility literally the same day because of misconduct. One could guarantee a penalty for breaking policy, especially orders.
My leaders displayed a nail-biting attitude and drive to win. When I asked about civilian education, their response was: “Not until you know how to be a soldier first.” Military police worked with security personnel called STOV Guards. Day in and day out I performed duty with a STOV guard named Herr Bergerhoff.
Herr Bergerhoff always greeted everyone coming through and departing the kaserne with the warmest greeting of the day. I vividly remember his words, “schon guten morgan," "schon guten tag” and “alles wondebar.”
Regardless of how fiercely cold it was, or what type of day he may have been having, Herr Bergerhoff’s greeting to the public was always the same, and was sure to brighten anyone’s day. I know his greetings had a positive impact on the outcome of my day. One day I approached Herr Bergerhoff after he greeted a patron entering the kaserne with his trademark greeting. I asked him why he greeted everyone in this fashion.
Herr Bergerhoff stated that he sees soldiers of all ranks enter the kaserne before sunrise with a plan for how they are going to conquer the day. He said that you can see it in their eyes that they were ready for the day’s challenges, uniforms pressed and hanging in the back seat, boots shined, gym bag packed, and books organized as though they prepared themselves the night prior.
Herr Bergerhoff continued, stating that by the end of the day, these same soldiers departed the kaserne looking slaughtered. He noticed that even their spirit seemed shattered. He said that for many his greeting was the only kind word anyone said to them all day. Herr Bergerhoff said that he lived that life as a young man in the German army and didn’t wish it upon anyone. He said that he also knows how something as simple as a warm, sincere greeting can turn a negative into a positive.
Daily Herr Bergerhoff observed how the military would focus so much on the mission that it would forget about its people (soldiers, families and even civilians). Some of the harshest words and actions occurred without a care or concern for its members. The greeting, warm and sincere, is not just a custom or courtesy, it reminds us of compassion and humanity. It may very well be the one nice thing someone may hear all day.
Herr Bergerhoff made a difference in my day and that positive greeting became a part of my work ethic. Have a great day! Alles Wondebar!
Editor’s Note: Sgt. Maj. Troxler is the J3/JSO sergeant major for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. He is currently deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2012 05:30 |
| Story ID: | 90968 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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