3rd ID Soldiers graduate from Warrior Leader Course

FORT STEWART Ga. - Junior Soldiers with the Third Infantry Division graduated from Warrior Leader Course in a ceremony held at Newman Fitness Center, June 21. The WLC class they attended was for three weeks in June.

Almost 200 Soldiers graduated the course and were on hand to receive their diplomas.

“I challenge you to return to your units and make a positive impact on our Soldiers and our Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Pegues, commandant of the Fort Stewart Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

Command Sergeant Major Cedric Burns, command sergeant major of 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, addressed the graduates as well.

“This is a major accomplishment in your career,” he said. “This will prepare you for what lies ahead.” He added that this should lay the foundation for Soldiers to move forward with other military schooling and the Soldiers should pursue civilian education as much as possible.

Staff Sergeant Tony Ginn serves as a small group leader for the NCOA and was an instructor for the class of graduates. He discussed why he is so confident in their abilities to be leaders in the Army.

“Warrior Leader Course is a stepping stone for the rest of their careers,” he said. “It teaches them not to forget where they come from. A lot of them are brand new sergeants or specialists and it shows them what leadership is all about. This course helps them to understand how things happen and why they happen back in their units. They can take things they learned here back to their units and pass it down to their fellow Soldiers and superiors also.”

Staff Sergeant Ginn added the Soldiers should live by the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer as they pursue their careers.

Specialist Edwin Sillero, with 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, was the distinguished honor graduate for the class. Specialist Bradley Stacks, with 1st Brigade Combat Team, was the honor graduate. Sergeant Aaron Cobb, with 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, received the Iron Sergeant Award. Specialist Jonathan Kung, with 1st Brigade Combat Team, was the leadership award winner for the class. Specialist Steven Borer, with 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, won the Commandant’s Inspection Award.