CAMP HOVEY, South Korea – Troop A, 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team earned the 2nd Infantry Division 2012 Draper Armor Leadership Award, which was presented to the unit by Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, the 2nd Infantry Division commanding general, at Camp Hovey, South Korea, Aug. 21.
The Draper Award is given to promote, sustain, and recognize effective leadership in armor and cavalry units throughout the U.S. Army.
“Earning the Draper Award is a direct reflection on all the Troopers in Apache Troop,” said Capt. Joseph Phillips, a Douglasville, Ga. native and company commander of Troop A. “Every one of them helped to better the Troop in some fashion. Their dedication with Community Service Projects, training missions, and their personal efforts in better themselves; remain second to none.”
The Draper Award is evaluated throughout a 12-month period. The unit prepares a packet for consideration that outlines the unit’s performance in maintenance, readiness, training, and safety. The unit can also submit the details of any notable unit or individual achievements with the packet.
“I feel honored that during my tenure as the Apache Troop commander, we earned the Draper Award,” said Phillips. “I know this award is not given lightly or just on one person’s credit. Rather, it’s given to the Troop—as a team, earnestly wanted to be a cut above the rest.”
Troop A received the award for exhibiting excellence in leadership and training. The deciding factors that set the unit apart from the other armored and cavalry units were their scores and averages in the Army Physical Fitness Test, individual M16 rifle marksmanship, and crew-served weapons marksmanship.
“Across our Army, all of our tankers and cavalrymen understand the importance of this particular award,” said Vandal. “To have a unit earn this award is very prestigious. It takes hard work and dedication.”