STATEN ISLAND, Fla. - An Army Reserve first lieutenant who teaches psychology at New York’s City University was promoted to captain during a ceremony May 2 at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, N.Y.
Capt. Ernest Ogugua, commander of the Army Reserve’s 873rd Transportation Detachment (Port Management Team), received his promotion from Brig. Gen. Michael Mann, commanding general of the Army Reserve’s Deployment Support Command.
“It’s so important that we promote people who have talent to higher levels so they can take on even more responsibility,” said Mann, who also serves as a civilian economist for the Department of Commerce in Washington D.C.
Aside from serving as a unit commander in the Army Reserve, Ogugua molds minds as a psychology professor in his civilian career, skills that are valuable in his military role as well.
“Psychology is a behavioral science, and everybody in this world needs some kind of psychological support,” he explained. “Being a company commander and a psychologist in my civilian life helps me to understand Soldiers’ behavior and it helps me to understand how to help them to advance in their careers.
“It also helps me to know how to point them in the right direction and ensure they are progressing,” he added.
In addition to earning his doctorate in psychology, Ogugua has graduated from several military schools to include the Army Reserve Component Theater Sustainment Course, Adjutant General Captains Career Course, Contracting Officer Representative Course, Unit Movement Officers Course, Unit and Detachment Commanders Pre-Command Course, Suicide Assistance Prevention Course (ASSIST) and Basic Officers Leadership Course.
Ogugua’s military awards and decorations include the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Navy Blue Jacket Medal.