FORT SILL, Okla. (May 21, 2015) -- A group of noncommissioned officers pinned on a badge May 12 not worn by many in the Army.
The Noncommissioned Officers Academy staff held their first Army Instructor Badge Recognition ceremony.
"Each day they wake up and teach train and educate the future of the Army, the Army's leaders for the next conflict. I'm impressed with their ability to take Soldiers and make them into leaders.
Leaders that can understand risks, mitigate danger, and aggressively prosecute orders that will defend the Constitution of these United States," said Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Brunwald, NCOA commandant.
The instructor badge was approved by the Army last year as recognition of the professionalism of NCOs assigned as instructors within the NCO education system. Soldiers are qualified for the instructor badge after serving as primary instructors for the Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Seniors Leaders Course or the Battle Staff NCO Course.
NCOs must be counseled into the instructor development program by the academy comandant and meet Training and Doctrine Command's baseline instructor evaluation and certification requirements. Time on the podium is then accrued for each level.
Sgt. 1st Class Brock Benson, Seniors Leaders Course instructor, said it was an honor to receive and wear the badge.
To be an instructor at the NCOA each Soldier volunteered for the position, interviewed with the commandant and school chief and then gave a class in front of them to see if they had what it took to command a classroom.
When asked why he chose to be an instructor, Benson said his service would have an impact.
"What you teach them here will stay with them for the rest of their careers. You have a lot of input on how the future leaders will lead."
The three levels of the Army Instructor Badge authorized according to Army Regulation 614-200 are the Basic Army Instructor Badge (BAIB), Senior Army Instructor Badge (SAIB) and the Master Army Instructor Badge (MAIB).
BAIB: Soldiers must meet TRADOC regulation 600-2.1, complete 80 hours of instruction as a primary instructor and must meet evaluation requirements after two separate evaluations 30 days apart.
SAIB: They must meet TRADOC regulation 600-2.1, complete the small group instructor training course/intermediate facilitation skills course and the systems approach to training basic course/foundation training developer course. They also must complete 400 hours of instruction as a primary instructor after being awarded the BAIB and must meet evaluation requirements after two separate evaluations 30 days apart.
MAIB: Soldiers must complete all courses required for the SAIB along with the advanced facilitator skills course or the faculty development program-1 and the evaluating instructors workshop. They also must complete 400 hours of instruction as a primary instructor after being awarded the SAIB and must meet evaluation requirements and master instructor board requirements outlined in TRADOC regulation 600-21.
Brunwald said recognizing the effort of the Soldiers was long overdue.
"I must say this group of NCOs is the best that I have ever worked with in 28 and a half years of active duty service. The dedication of these leaders is beyond reproach.
"Their job is as demanding as any job in that category, whether it be drill sergeant, or recruiter. The instructors have to have the same level, if not a greater level, of professionalism with the influence they have over the future of the Army because they're instructing NCOs every day, shaping the Army with that respect. I'm glad they finally have that recognition."
Senior Instructor Badge awardees:
Sgt. 1st Class Brock Benson
Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Mejil
Sgt. 1st Class Irving Ogdenski
Sgt. 1st Class Averell Thompson
Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Villarreal
Sgt. 1st Class Justin Carnell
Sgt. 1st Class Ruben Cervantes
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Rhodes
Staff Sgt. James Delong
Staff Sgt. Matthew Molton
Staff Sgt. Domanic Thatcher
Staff Sgt. Devon Callahan
Staff Sgt. Keesha Holcomb
Staff Sgt. Kyle Norlin
Basic Instructor Badge awardees:
Sgt. 1st Class Davis James
Sgt. 1st Class Terry Reidhead
Staff Sgt. Michael Meadows
Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Earnest
Staff Sgt. Joshua Coryell
Staff Sgt. Paulino Lino
Staff Sgt. Deborah Tasi
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