Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Belda, left, 10th Mountain Division (LI) acting senior enlisted adviser, and Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, right, 10th Mountain Division (LI) acting senior commander, congratulate Soldiers, Family members and Civilian Employee... VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Dec. 10, 2015) -- Since the time of the Civil War, the U.S. Army has honored exceptional Soldiers and Civilians by presenting them with awards for valor, excellence and service. Fort Drum leaders continued that tradition Dec. 3 with a combined awards ceremony at the Commons.
Traditionally the awards are presented quarterly, but due to the high operational tempo of 10th Mountain Division (LI) and its tenant units, this was the first ceremony since March.
"It was important for us to get this back on schedule," Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, 10th Mountain Division (LI) acting senior commander, said to those gathered at the ceremony. "We need to be able to recognize the individuals who have made an impact not only for their unit but for the division overall."
The high OPTEMPO not only affected holding the ceremony, but those vying for the awards.
Sgt. Daniel McCright, the 10th Mountain Division Noncommissioned Officer of the 4th Quarter from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, had to scramble to prepare himself for the board.
"Normally it takes a couple months of practice for a board," McCright said, his wife Caitlin nodding in agreement, "but I was told about a week beforehand and just kind of showed up."
Caitlin McCright said she was proud of her husband, and although she didn't assist with his preparations, she did make sure he studied.
McCright's advice for anyone heading to a board is to relax and stay confident. "It's not as hard as you think it's going to be," he said.
The Soldier of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter was Spc. Adam Wassman from E Company, 2nd Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The Soldier of the Quarter for the 4th Quarter was Spc. Derick Elizardo from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team.
Awards also were presented to the Junior and Senior Chef of the Year. Spc. Miguel Ramirez from 2-10th Aviation, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, earned honors as the Junior Chef of the Year, while Sgt. Dale Sakuma from 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, claimed the Senior Chef of the Year title.
Ramirez credits his dining facility manager for pushing him to compete this year.
"My DFAC manager said 'hey, you're doing this competition and you're going to win it.' I said 'roger, OK,'" Ramirez said after the ceremony.
He wanted to let Fort Drum community members know they haven't seen the last of him, either.
"I don't stop. I hope to do great things and make 10th Mountain Division proud," a determined and proud Ramirez said as he headed back to work for the dinner shift.
The timing for presenting culinary arts awards was impeccable. After the Thanksgiving culinary arts competitions across the installation, food service personnel deserved a pat on the back. That included Sgt. Genesis Turrubiate from Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, whose efforts and dedication to excellence resulted in the Fort Drum Culinary Arts Team winning 16 silver and five bronze medals in the 40th Annual Military Culinary Arts Competitive Training Event at Fort Lee, Va., in March.
One more Soldier was recognized for going above and beyond the standard of duty and achieving greatness. Pfc. Jack Yakis, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Joint Fires Observer Course, achieving the highest score in that course's history and being the youngest Soldier to achieve honor graduate status.
Even though Fort Drum is the youngest active-duty military installation in the United States, as Yakis demonstrated, young does not mean inexperienced or untried. The high OPTEMPO at Fort Drum necessitates a strong, stable civilian workforce as well as willing volunteers to help the installation and its Soldiers run smoothly.
The Dr. Mary E. Walker Award is presented to eligible spouses who have distinguished themselves by outstanding volunteer service contributing to the mission of the Army and to the welfare of the Army Family. The Dr. Mary E. Walker Award was presented to Laura Belda from the 10th Mountain Division Family and Toni Wagenbrenner from the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade Family.
"The (Dr.) Mary E. Walker award is the equivalent of the Sergeant Audie Murphy award for NCOs," Rohling explained. He noted that the work these spouses do often goes unrecognized, is always unpaid, and always benefits the Soldiers and Families of the community.
The final awards presented were Civilian Length of Service awards. Raymond Dalinsky from the 10th Mountain Division Command Safety Office was recognized for 35 years of federal service. Michael Consiglio from the 10th Mountain Division G-6 (communications) received his award for 30 years of federal service.
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