REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph C. Borja was the guest speaker during a graduation ceremony for the U.S. Army Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School conducted Feb. 12 at Heiser Hall here.
Borja, command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, addressed the group of 35 graduates, which included Soldiers and Marines, on topics such as an all-volunteer force, the Warrior Ethos and Soldiers Creed, deployments and the importance of training their replacements.
Borja began by commending the graduates for being a part of an all-volunteer force. "That's unbelievable," he said. With today's war on terrorism, he explained how significant their role to our country is.
"Whether young or old, you are the driving force to making our nation, our country free and what it stands for," Borja said.
"Each and every morning that you wake up in your organization I ask that you continue to memorize the Warrior Ethos - I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. And I will never leave a fallen comrade," Borja said.
"Upon graduation, some of you will get to your organizations, and chances are, they will be ready to deploy in weeks or months out," he said.
"Coming back recently from Afghanistan and Iraq in '07," Borja said, "you see pretty much the melting pot of our armed forces. Everyone is contributing to one cause."
Borja explained how the graduates would need to be prepared to train their replacements in Iraq and Afghanistan in their ammunition specialist field, so they can deploy out of there and get back to home station with their Families.
Borja finished with some words of encouragement for these men and women as they set their sights on their newly assigned duty stations throughout the world.
"When you get to your organization, you're going to meet up with a sergeant, that team leader, that section sergeant," he said. "I challenge each and every one of you to keep a few things in your mind."
"First and foremost," he said. "You're a disciplined warrior. Pay attention to detail when he provides you with any guidance or directions and take notes. Number two, be proactive. Take the initiative. Do the right thing. Number three, stay physically and mentally fit. Number four, learn from others, your peers, your subordinates, your superiors. Number five, once you get ready to deploy to whatever country you go to, keep in mind, these Family members who are here today and many others support you in the cause of what you are doing to defend our great nation and country.
"I wish you all the best and Godspeed throughout your travels, throughout your deployment, and I wish you all the best throughout your career," said Borja.
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