Brother pins new 2SCR sergeant in Afghanistan

16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Spc. Edward Garibay

Date: 02.06.2011
Posted: 02.06.2011 01:21
News ID: 64889
Brother pins new 2SCR sergeant in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The promotion to non-commissioned officer is a proud moment for any soldier. It is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

For Army Sgt. Sherrie Pratt, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment medical lab specialist, Feb. 4 was an especially proud day because her younger brother pinned the rank of sergeant on her at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

“She does incredible work saving lives,” said Airman 1st Class Lucas D.
Lacock, Pratt’s brother, who is a 451st Air Expeditionary Wing avionics technician. “I felt proud to be able to tack sergeant on my sister in a combat zone.”

Lt. Col. Michaele M. McCulley, Regimental Support Squadron commander, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, said Pratt embodies all of the characteristics of a leader and very deserving of the promotion.

Even though Pratt was promoted from corporal, a non-commissioned officer rank, she said she feels this was her true initiation into the NCO corps because her family could be there for it.

Both Orofino, Idaho natives, Pratt and Lacock, are deployed in Afghanistan, but it was not an easy feat to bring the two together for the promotion ceremony. Pratt, who serves in Zabul province, Afghanistan, had to travel to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. But her difficulty did not end there; after she landed she had to find where exactly on the large airfield her brother was so he could attend the ceremony.

In the end, the trouble was all worth it for Pratt.

“To have a loved one here just makes it even more memorable, I think,” said the newly promoted sergeant. “It’s not very often that you have someone you’re related to here with you in a combat zone.”

The promotion ceremony showed the extreme importance family plays in the military, said McCulley.

“Family is always important,” said McCulley. “Whether it’s your Army family, a bigger service family, or blood relative, holistic families make us successful as servicemembers and this ceremony really gives testimony to that.”