FORT BENNING, Ga. (March 12, 2014) -- Sgt. 1st Class Michael Noggle's journey to serve with the 75th Ranger Regiment began long before he volunteered.
Noggle, who was formerly assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., as the Public Affairs NCO, worked closely with Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry who influenced Noggle.
"A group of individuals, including Sgt. 1st Class Petry whom I spent a lot of time with during his Medal of Honor events, influenced me to volunteer for service with the (75th Ranger) Regiment," said Noggle. "Working at USASOC, I saw how much of a team effort the Ranger Regiment is and how well Public Affairs and a group of individuals who work together to tell the Ranger story; and I wanted to be a part of this organization."
Noggle met Petry in June 2011 and supported the Petry Family for 21 months, managing Petry's event schedule, escorted him on several trips and provided Public Affairs support in every engagement since receiving the Medal of Honor.
Noggle did all of this and still maintained his duties as the USASOC Public Affairs NCOIC.
"Sgt. 1st Class Noggle is one of the hardest working noncommissioned officers I have ever met," said Petry. "He literally sacrificed months of personal time to support me and help tell the 75th Ranger Regiment's story."
Noggle had already surpassed any trial or test that may be required to prove that he has what it takes to serve in the Regiment.
"Sgt. 1st Class Noggle was simply the best possible candidate to serve as the first Public Affairs NCO in the 75th Ranger Regiment," Petry said. "He will, without a doubt, set the bar high and lead the way for others to follow."
Noggle attended and passed the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 2 in March 2013, and arrived at the Regiment July 2013 and immediately hit the ground running as Ranger Rendezvous and the Regimental change of command was just days away.
"It was why I came to Regiment. These men have been going non-stop since October 2001 and it was the atmosphere I expected," said Noggle. "Everyone was willing to help me get up to speed and be a part of the team. It's the whole reason I came to the Ranger Regiment and I couldn't wait to get here."
Noggle attended Small Unit Ranger Tactic Training September 2013 and started the U.S. Army Ranger Course October 2013. He graduated March 7, earning the Ranger Tab.
"Ranger School was the most physically demanding and mentally challenging thing I have ever done in the Army," said Noggle. "At the end of the day when you work with so many different people who have the same goal and when you come together as a team - you know that anything is possible."
Noggle is the first qualified Public Affairs NCOIC to serve with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Once Noggle has served honorably for 24 months in the Regiment, he will be the first 46Z to have the Uniform Additional Skill Identifier that distinguishes all regiment Rangers from Ranger School graduates. In addition to the length of service, additional requirements to earn the ASI are to pass the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, and U.S. Army Ranger School.
"Public Affairs is not new to the Ranger Regiment and I have high expectations of myself; the Army and the Regiment will always get my very best," Noggle said.
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