Staff Sgt. Frederic Cureton knew early in life he was meant to serve the nation as a Soldier. His desire was to be one of the best and recent actions are moving him in the right direction.
Cureton is a paralegal noncommissioned officer in the Expeditionary Contracting Command's Office of Counsel, Fort Belvoir, Va., and was recently named the Fort Belvoir Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter.
As a Temple University (Philadelphia, Pa.) student, Cureton joined the Army in 1997 as a cannon crewmember. Since then he's had assignments at Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Ga., Baumholder, Germany and Fort Detrick, Md. With less than a month's notice, Cureton brushed up on Army regulations and Soldiers tasks to make sure he provided sharp and precise answers.
"When I found out about the board I jumped on the opportunity to compete," said the native Philadelphian. "I knew it was an opportunity to shine and distinguish myself, my legal section and the command. I've been to many types of boards and won many, but this one is special because it's for the post and the ECC leadership challenged me to step up as an ECC NCO and allow our command to be recognized."
According to Cureton, all of the ECC NCOs consistently assist each other with one goal in mind, ensuring anyone representing the command be successful and bring honor to the command.
"We want to make sure the command is visible throughout the Fort Belvoir and Army Materiel Command communities and is seen in a positive light. As the first group of NCOs in a new command, we want to set a firm foundation for those who follow," he said.
The next target in Cureton's site is something closer to home.
"I'm interested in going before the AMC NCO of the quarter Board and any other boards there are in the future. Appearing before a board helps me sharpen my knowledge and military skills. Like other NCOs, I want to do what I can to prepare myself to lead and mentor younger Soldiers," he said. "Being selected as the winner (of the boards) helps me stand out from my peers and will help me prepare for other challenging boards like the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club and the Sergeant Morales Club boards."
In his current position, Cureton's duties include manpower management projects, Freedom of Information Act requests as well as ethics and Uniformed Code of Military Justice issues. He currently has completed his associate degree and is working on his bachelor's degree with future plans for law school and becoming an attorney.
Cureton, a 14-year veteran, points to every senior NCO, those within the Army Contracting Command and those in previous assignments, as having an impact on where he is today.
"The most important thing I've learned from senior NCO's is how to take care of Soldiers, by motivating them, providing them with purpose, direction and motivation, and showing them that you care," he said.
Cureton said he enjoys being a Soldier for many reasons but thrives on the challenges and new adventures each assignment provides.
"I enjoy seeing different things, meeting different people and traveling. The Army has allowed me to do things and see places I'm not sure I ever would have otherwise," said the 33-year-old Cureton. "It has been an excellent challenge and opportunity and continues to be for young people that have not decided what to do with their life."
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