Warfighter of the Quarter inspires others, supports community

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- An Army recruiter's innovative ideas to strengthen the Army's rapport with several local-area high schools have helped her earn the Tobyhanna Army Depot Warfighter of the Quarter Award. The award recognizes military personnel for outstanding service.

Engagement Team (ET) Member Sgt. Kara Wilson was presented the fiscal 2014 second quarter award by depot commander Col. Gerhard P.R. Schröter. The 10-year Army veteran is assigned to the Wilkes-Barre Recruiting Company, a tenant unit here. Wilson is the 18th recipient of the award.

The presentation took place during a ceremony at a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey game Feb. 22. Also participating in the event was Capt. Jeremy Glosson and First Sgt. Douglas Hawkins from the Wilkes-Barre Recruiting Company, her husband and two children.

"I am humbled by how much the community supports active duty military members and veterans -- that our sacrifices really do not go unnoticed," Wilson said, attributing her success to the support of family, faith in God and devotion to country.

Wilson is someone who exemplifies the Army Values every day, according to coworkers, who often describe her as the face of the Army within Monroe, Pike and Carbon counties.

"Sergeant Wilson is one of the strongest NCOs [noncommissioned officer] I have encountered in my military career," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Gendron, Stroudsburg Recruiting Station commander. "She displays total dedication to the demands of her job while continuously supporting the community and her family."

In addition to working with local high schools, she also supports organizations such as Big Brother/Big Sister, Band of Brothers, The Pocono Alliance and North Hampton Community College.

The sergeant also offers anti-bullying seminars and leadership classes to young men and women who live in the area.

Army Career Counselor Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Wilson said his wife is enthusiastic and selfless. "She is always looking for ways to help the young people succeed in life and guide them towards a new career."

Wilson chose a life of military service -- just like her father. In the beginning her military occupational specialty was cargo specialist and since then she has become proficient in subjects such as leadership and communication.

According to the Army Recruiter Handbook, ET members assume the roles of leader, communicator, planner, public relations representative, marketing analyst and counselor. As an ET, Wilson is an ambassador of the Army -- the local face and voice of Army recruiting.

"She gives 110 percent every day and displays the attitude of a true leader," said Gendron, pointing out that the sergeant also served three deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Wilson remarked that one of the most rewarding assignments of her career was to Haiti in 2010. While there she headed the Centralized Receiving and Shipping Point Operations as part of a humanitarian mission following an earthquake.

"The mission supported the entire theater, which assisted in feeding the troops in country," said Wilson. "We also established the rice distribution points for the people of Haiti."

As a Soldier and recruiter, Wilson inspires young men and women to do the right thing and aspire to be a better person for tomorrow, according to Gendron. Community support and family values rank high on her list of priorities, he said.

"It's vital to continually give back to the community," Wilson said. "The Army has afforded me so much throughout my career it's only right to pay it forward."

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna's Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna's unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, technology insertion, modification, and global field support to warfighters.

About 3,500 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.