Sgt. 1st Class Ricky Torres - April 2009 NCO of the Year
Sgt. 1st Class Rickly Torres is currently assigned to 1473rd CS Company. Torres is in the artillery and sewed in Iraq. He recently was awarded a Bronze Star after being wounded in action.
Torres is presently receiving support through the Fort Buchanan Community Based Wounded Warrior Transition Unit at the garrison.
Torres has served tours in Kuwait (2004 Operation Noble Eagle), Iraq (2005 Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Afghanistan (2006 Operation Enduring Freedom).
Torres first joined the service in 1990 after two years of attending Inter-American University. He completed Basic Training and AlT at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The 39 year old native of Orocovis joined the Puerto Rico National Guard for the job opportunity. It was an opportunity, he said, "to learn from the Anny how to do the right things and to learn discipline."
He was promoted to Sgt. 1st Class Jan. 27, 2008.
Asked what his most memorable military experience has been Torres said, "When I was awarded the BSM as a Best Squad Leader in the 918th Military Police Company at Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq."
He attributes joining the Army as being the "most important decision I made when I was 20 years old. It made me the person I am."
Making an observation about being an NCO in the Anny, Torres said, "I feel proud to be part of the NCO Corps. For me, we are the most important part.
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