FORT BRAGG, N.C. – While visiting Fort Bragg, United States Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., spoke with leaders of 2nd Brigade Combat Team and conducted a promotion and recognition ceremony on Oct. 29.
Casey said he enjoys getting away from Washington to visit Fort Bragg and see the soldiers.
Upon arrival to 2BCT Headquarters, Casey presented a retirement award to Sgt. Maj. (retired) James Bunch, the former Command Sgt. Maj. and Operations Sgt. Maj. for 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.
Casey then promoted eight Paratroopers to the rank of sergeant; Jason Gibbs and Chad Deaver, A Co., 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment; Matthew Stepp, B Co., 2/325 AIR; William Amaro, C Co., 2/325; Steven Keyes, Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment; Jeremy Randlett, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment; Phil Ehorn, A Co., 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion; and Christopher Champion, B Co., 407th Brigade Support Battalion.
“I wanted it to be quiet,” said Amaro of his original plans for his promotion ceremony. “But if you want to get promoted, this is the dream way to do it.”
Casey also recognized eight Troopers for outstanding performance; teammates Staff Sgt. Kyle Maples, Headquarters Co., 1/325 AIR, and Staff Sgt. Brent Davis, A Co., 1/325 AIR, who placed fourth in their class at the International Sniper Competition; teammates Spc. Juan Valencia and Spc. Mason Heller, C Troop, 1/73 CAV, who placed eighth in their class at the same competition; Lt. Dustin Dieter, A Co., 2/325 AIR, and Pfc. Seth Kilby, C Co., 2/325 AIR, who both received perfect scores while testing for the Expert Infantryman Badge; Staff Sgt. Heidi Warren, A Co., 407th BSB, for achieving the title of distinguished honor graduate at the Advanced Leaders Course; and Army cook, Sgt. Melissa Soto, Forward Support Troop, 1/73 CAV, whose team won second place at the Armed Forces Culinary Arts Competition in Fort Lee.
Following the ceremony, the 2BCT leadership briefed the Chief of Staff on the brigade’s transition from the Global Response Force, training and preparations for the unit’s future deployment.
Casey said it was good to see the unit getting back to basics, as opposed to training for a specific mission.