U.S. Army Europe awards MacArthur Leadership Award to select junior officers

By Sgt. Daniel Cole, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsMarch 9, 2015

U.S. Army Europe awards MacArthur Leadership Award to select junior officers
Standing left to right are: Capt. Michael Sims, commander of Comanche Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cody Herr, 173rd Airborne Brigade's Intelligence Support Element chief; and Capt. Dwayne Steppe, commander of Cho... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany -- U.S. Army Europe formally recognized 15 officers for their excellence in leadership at the 28th Annual USAREUR-level Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award ceremony held here, Feb. 12.

Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt, Army Europe's deputy commanding general, commended the Soldiers for their selfless service and dedication to leadership during the ceremony. He said that these leaders were not only the best of Army Europe, but of the Army as a whole.

The GDMLA program was introduced in 1987 to recognize company-grade and junior warrant officers who demonstrate MacArthur's ideals of "Duty, Honor, Country," and have a proven record of extraordinary performance, leadership and achievement.

Three of the recipients were also chosen to represent Army Europe at the Department of the Army-level competition. They are Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cody Herr, 173rd Airborne Brigade's Intelligence Support Element chief; Capt. Dwayne Steppe, commander of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade; and Capt. Michael Sims, commander of Comanche Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

Herr stated that he really owes the award to his team. It is a testament to the hard work of his junior Soldiers and noncommissioned officers.

"I absolutely could not have achieved this award without the hard work and dedication from my military intelligence Soldiers," Herr said.

Steppe also contributes his winning to the Soldiers in his unit. He says he could not have earned this without them.

"I have really strong Soldiers, NCOs, junior officers and an awesome first sergeant (who) really make my job easier," Steppe said.

The three winners will move forward to compete against junior leaders from other major Army commands, where only a few select officers and warrant officers in the active, National Guard and Reserve components across the Army will receive the award.

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