Year of the NCO: For the love of the Army

By Kaytrina Curtis, Hunter Army Airfield Public AffairsMay 7, 2009

Year of The NCO Fort Stewart
Sgt. Timothy Russell, 10th Trans. Co., 260th QM, instructs Spc. John Williams and Spc. Gavin Ivy, 24th Ordnance Co., 87th CSSB, 3rd Sustainment Bde., on how to perform preventative, maintenance checks and services on their vehicle during driver tr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - Sgt. Timothy Russell of 10th Transportation Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, and battalion master driver training instructor, provides a shining example of a focused noncommissioned officer; his dedication assures all that the Secretary of the Army made no mistake in declaring 2009 the "Year of the NCO." His unshakable ambition stems from a deep-seated love and enjoyment for his work in the Armed Forces.

"I fell in love with the Army because of the camaraderie, discipline, just the overall workup of the Army itself," he said. "I love leading other troops and defending our country."

Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Williams, 260th QM, said Sgt. Russell cares about Soldiers and strives to develop himself as a leader.

"As a corporal, he took on a position slotted for a staff sergeant as an instructor for the battalion's driver training program, and he did well. He has a great future ahead of him."

Sgt. Russell recognizes the responsibilities that his job entails: taking accountability for the Soldiers he trains and helping them exceed standards of physical fitness and readiness.

Russell expressed appreciation for the attention given to NCOs.

"We are very grateful that the 'higher-ups' can understand the daily work that we put in as NCOs, stressing the fact that we are the backbone of the Army," he said.

Despite his love of the Army, Sgt. Russell's passion for the military was not a lifelong dream.

"Growing up, I never pictured myself in the military," he said. "I always wanted to be a federal law enforcement officer. I always wanted to be a crime fighter; now I am fighting crime on a different level - fighting terrorists."

Since the birth of his three-month-old daughter, Kamilah, Sgt. Russell made the military a family affair, and feels that his maturity has been taken "to another level."

During down time, Sgt. Russell said he likes to play basketball and video games. He also enjoys the brotherhood of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. But most of all, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Spc. Kamesha Russell, 90th Human Resources Company, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, their daughter, and his Family in Norfolk, Va.

Russell held the rank of corporal until he was promoted to sergeant in January. He said he feels that the job has shown him what it means to be a leader of Soldiers, and he takes his job seriously and wears his rank with pride.

On a day-to-day basis, Sgt. Russell trains a class of 10-20 Soldiers, some who are new to the Army, others who are seasoned Soldiers who need to be re-licensed on a particular vehicle.

Trainees learn how to perform preventative maintenance checks and services on the vehicles. Then the class moves onto the serpentine obstacle course and later out onto the open roads on the installation. On the last day of instruction, Sgt. Russell and his team test the trainees and license them on the vehicle for which they trained.

Regarding further advancement, Sgt. Russell plans to use the NCO skills he has now.

"The sky is the limit. My career goals are to utilize the outstanding leadership skills and technical knowledge that I have obtained as an NCO."