FORT STEWART, Ga. - With more than 2,000 first lieutenants promoted to the rank of captain Army wide July 1, the Special Troops Battalion and the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, both part of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were lucky to count nine of those new captains amongst their own ranks.
“I’ve never heard of this many lieutenants being promoted at the same time,” Lt. Col. Alex Monteith said, executive officer with the 3rd Sustainment Bde. “We were just lucky to have these great Americans and upstanding people assigned to the 3rd Sustainment Bde.”
The date at which a lieutenant is promoted to captain can vary, said Capt. Thomas Bloomer, the officer in charge of the 87th CSSB’s personnel section and one of six captains promoted with the battalion. He attributed the large number of officers promoted at the same time to the graduation dates of the West Point Academy, which affects all lieutenants’ promotion dates.
“I’m very excited to not be a lieutenant anymore,” Capt. Bloomer said. “I’m really looking forward to the responsibilities that come with being a captain.”
With the new responsibilities that come with the rank, there are also an increased number of opportunities, including the chance to assume the command of a company, a task all the new captains are eager to undertake.
“It’s a very exciting time,” Lt. Col. Monteith said. “Although every job is important, being a company commander is the best job in the Army.”
Another challenge for new captains is that other Soldiers don’t know if they’re newly promoted or if they’ve had the rank for years. "There is a definite distinction between a junior and senior captain," Capt. Stefanie Shefcheck said, the 3rd Sustainment Bde.’s strength manager assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Command, STB, and one of three captains promoted with the STB.
“We spend so long as a captain because it gives us time to develop and learn to get it right,” Capt. Liliane Delva said, the postal officer with the 3rd Sustainment Bde. “We’re expected to not make lieutenant mistakes anymore now.”
While they stand ready and willing to face the challenges that are ahead of them, the new captains look to their leaders for the guidance to continue down the path to success.
“Work hard and do the best job you possibly can in every assignment.” Lt. Col. Monteith advised to the newly promoted captains. “The rest will take care of itself.”
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