From the moment he began his career in 1982, serving at Fort
Campbell, Ky., as a marina support technician, Donald Montgomery sought
progressively challenging leadership positions that led him to
achieve the highest enlisted rank in the military and ...

When the opportunity arose to work in Iraq as the senior

advisor to the 373rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Montgomery

jumped at the chance, knowing that his leadership abilities

could really make a difference on the front lines.

From the moment he began his career in 1982, serving at Fort

Campbell, Ky., as a marina support technician, Montgomery sought

progressively challenging leadership positions that led him to

achieve the highest enlisted rank in the military and prepared him

for more than a dozen mobilizations within the United States and

four overseas tours of duty.

"In 1986, when I became a noncommissioned officer, my focus

was and remains to this day - the wellness of my Soldiers and their

families," said Montgomery. "While in Iraq, I had the chance to not

only serve as the senior advisor responsible for updating the battalion

commander on all military decisions, I was the senior NCO

in charge of written policies, force protection training, and overall

wellness of 1,200 Soldiers."

As the senior enlisted leader at the Victory Base Complex,

Montgomery often accompanied his troops on air and ground

battlefield circulations throughout Baghdad, Iraq, and Kuwait to ensure

their needs were met and morale remained high--a voluntary

self tasking that cost him severe injuries.

About one month into a seven-month deployment, Montgomery

sustained combat-related injuries while conducting a mission

in Iraq. Instead of returning home, he chose to stay and continue

to lead his unit, working an average of 14 hours a day in a hostile

environment while he attempted to heal from injuries that made it

painful to sit for more than five minutes at a time.

Upon completion of his tour in Iraq in August 2010, Montgomery

was assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit and began physical

therapy to expedite his recovery. By January 2011, he was reassigned

to the Community Based Warrior Transition Unit in Little

Rock, Ark., and volunteered to become a member of the Wounded

Warrior Project.

In June 2011, Montgomery was temporarily transferred to the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District to assist with the

district's Anti-Terrorism Program.

"I knew it was a blessing to be able to combine my years

of military experience and education within such a wonderful

organization," said Montgomery. "The program has benefited

me by giving me time to fully heal and recover from my injuries,

reintegrate, and has allowed me time to reach some personal goals

that I set for myself that were pushed back due to my dedication to

the United States Army."

Montgomery's primary responsibilities at the district include

working as the anti-terrorism planning officer, physical security

officer assistant, and supporting the Emergency Management

Team with the Family Readiness Program.

"The recent upgrade in our district's Anti-Terrorism Program

required us to obtain an additional staff member," said District Security

Manager Michael Flynn. "Under the direction and support

of our commander, I immediately began the search for a wounded

warrior with the necessary technical expertise for this position."

According to Montgomery, the CBTU has a strong partnership

with the Corps as well as other government, public and private

businesses throughout the country and successfully helps to pair

Soldiers with compatible skills and knowledge with private sector

employers to form internships at no cost to the company.

"As a retired military officer who also deployed after 9/11, I

fully support the Wounded Warrior Project," said Flynn. "I feel

that allowing injured military personnel the opportunity to be productive

and help organizations like the Galveston District while in

rehabilitation is a great win for everyone."

Though Montgomery does not know how long he will remain

with the Corps, as it is contingent upon his recovery, he stated that

he is appreciative of the Galveston District's leadership and the

entire Corps family for the warm welcome he has received.

The Wounded Warrior Project, founded in 2002 to provide

comfort items to wounded service members, has since grown into

a complete rehabilitative effort to assist warriors as they recover

and transition back to civilian life.

For more information about this program, log on to http://

www.woundedwarriorproject.org.