New AIT platoon sergeants arrive at 1-13th AVN

By Capt. Steven Kuhni, 1-13th Aviation RegimentJanuary 9, 2014

New AIT platoon sergeants arrive at 1-13th AVN
Staff Sgts. Maureen Richards, Eliseo Salgado, Andrew Durham, Marion Githens, Antonio Santiago, Adam Thornton, Brandon Woodson and Jason Reimer are new Advanced Individual Training platoon sergeants at A Company, 1-13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (January 9, 2014) -- Eight new Advanced Individual Training platoon sergeants recently arrived at A Company, 1-13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade -- the company responsible for training new enlisted Aviation Soldiers.

These AIT PSGs are responsible for the leadership and development of Soldiers directly after basic training, in which new Soldiers learn their specific job or Military Occupational Specialty. The AIT PSGs, along with C Co., 1-13th Aviation Enlisted Training Institute at Yano and Braman Halls, complete over 750 trainees' transition from civilian to Soldier every year.

These PSGs make a huge impact on new Soldiers, assisting them to resolve any medical, financial or personal issues prior to their next assignment. It is a demanding job that requires an average of 80 hours of work per week. The goal is to give the Soldiers exceptionally strong examples of NCO leadership that the Soldiers can model when they are in challenging situations.

One of the new AIT PSGs, Staff Sgt. Marion Githens, said, "I am excited to come to A Company and the opportunity to train new Soldiers and influence their future. I also want to show an example of a strong female NCO to the 53 Soldiers I was immediately placed in charge of. It also doesn't hurt that it sets me up for promotion, either."

For their part, these NCOs receive an incredible amount of leadership training getting exposed to all aspects of Army Soldier issues and utilizing Army legal, medical, equal opportunity, and Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention programs.

"This is excellent preparation for future first sergeants. When these NCOs leave A Company, they are prepared to solve a myriad of leadership challenges and they know where to go to get any needed support," said A Co. 1st Sgt. Terrence Reyes.

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Fort Rucker, Ala.

U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence