For 23 years, USARCENT Command Career Counselor Sgt. Maj. Patrick J. Hickok facetiously said he has been drinking the "Army Kool-Aid" -- and the fact that he loves and lives it is evident in everything he says and does.
Hickok said he has thoroughly enjoyed his career and believes that if a Soldier applies themselves, the Army will give them everything they need to be "awesome."
Hickok has used this career opportunity in the Army to be a generator mechanic, a paratrooper, a prison guard, a jiujitsu instructor, and his main and present calling in the military: a command career counselor. He also went to Air Assault School as a 36-year-old master sergeant -- the elder statesman of his class.
This diversity is part of the adventure of the odyssey of an Army life, he said, adding that this diversity extends to his wife and children. His children have lived in more places throughout the country and world than their friends have visited, he said, noting this also gives a person life experiences, which translates to intellect and knowledge.
"Sergeant Major Hickok is one of the most respected command counselors in the career field," said Sgt. 1st Class Ed Orsted, USARCENT career counselor. "He was one of the reasons I wanted to be assigned to USARCENT. His knowledge and professionalism are definitely traits I wanted in a mentor."
Hickok did not have a burning passion until after his first enlistment, he explained.
"I thought I would just finish up my initial enlistment, get out, and farm," said Hickok, who saw hardly a sign of military life in his native Wisconsin. After re-upping, however, he realized he really liked the Army and that it gave his life some purpose and direction.
"I decided that if this is what I'm going to do, I'm going to be the best I can be at it," he said.
And this goal is something he has never forgotten over his 23-year career. Hickok was named the distinguished honor graduate in every level of noncommissioned officer school he has attended.
He credits his family, friends, and fellow Soldiers throughout the progression of his career for his accomplishments saying, "I've got a fantastic wife and fantastic kids, and also the people I work with have helped me along the way as well."
With him deciding to call it a career in the upcoming year, Hickok said, "I became someone I never thought I could be. I had no idea of the opportunity the Army would give to me, and I can never repay it."
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