211th Regional Support Group conducts MUC ceremony

By Spc. Christopher A. Hernandez, 345th Public Affairs DetachmentSeptember 23, 2010

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CAMP BULLIS, Texas - Soldiers assigned to the 211th Regional Support Group participated in the Meritorious Unit Commendation award ceremony Sunday at the Camp Bullis Theater to honor their overseas deployment.

"The 211th Regional Support Group maintained the standards as well as doing an excellent job during the deployment," said Command Sgt. Maj. Abel Vasquez, the interim Command Sergeant Major of the 211th RSG.

Hailing from Corpus Christi, Texas, the 211th RSG mobilized in December 2008 to Tikrit, Iraq. While stationed in Contingency Operating Base, Iraq, the 211th RSG performed numerous duties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom until their redeployment to the United States in November 2009.

"This is the best group of Soldiers I served with in 30 years," said Col. Richard C. Staats, the commander of the 211th RSG. "Many of the Soldiers were cross-leveled into varying roles, but they immediately embraced their command climate and the senior leadership positions in which they were installed."

In tribute of the 211th RSG's outstanding performance in their Iraq deployment, the unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation Battle Streamer and MUC Battle Awards through the casing of their flag colors and individual plaque award handouts to the recipients.

The MUC ribbon and streamer was first established by the Department of the Army to honor any unit's exceptionally meritorious conduct regarding excellent service for at least six consecutive months while employed in a wartime environment.

This award shares commonalities with the criteria and circumstances regarding the Legion of Merit given to individual Soldiers, said Staats.

First established in September 2006, the unit nonetheless was undaunted by the challenges that they encountered in their deployment, the commander attributing much of their successes to the professionalism of their senior leadership.

Given the newfound prestige of the 211th RSG, Staats states that he expects equivalent performance and professionalism in the unit for their upcoming deployment, whenever they receive orders.

"I expect [211th RSG] to give the best possible support and serve in the capacity in a overseas mission in the future," said Staats.