Five Patriot Soldiers Promoted at Tagab

By U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph RobinsonOctober 26, 2013

Five Soldiers Promoted at Tagab
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Schellang of Independence, Miss., stands in formation in front of the battalion after being promoted to the rank of sergeant during a promotion ceremony at Forward Operating Base Tagab Oct. 1, 201... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Five Soldiers Promoted at Tagab
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin Ingraham, a Bradenton, Fla. native, being promoted from the rank of sergeant to the rank of staff sergeant by his platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Terry Gilbert during a promotion ceremony at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Five Soldiers Promoted at Tagab
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Schellang of Independence, Miss., being promoted from specialist to sergeant during a promotion ceremony at Forward Operating Base Tagab Oct. 1, 2013. Schellang serves as the battalion fire suppo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Five Soldiers Promoted at Tagab
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Regiment standing in formation prior to bei... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Five Soldiers Promoted at Tagab
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " Soldiers preparing for a promotion ceremony on Oct. 1, 2013. The ceremony was held by 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Forward Operating Base Tagab. (U.S. Army ph... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 1, 2013) -- Five U.S. Soldiers were promoted to the ranks of sergeant and staff sergeant at Forward Operating Base Tagab, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2013.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Patriot, held a promotion ceremony to recognize the five Soldiers. The promotion candidates included members from 2nd Battalion and 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, from 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

For the two Soldiers who were promoted from the rank of specialist to the rank of sergeant, the event marked an important milestone in every noncommissioned officer's career.

Each of the newly promoted Soldiers were required to attend a promotion board in front of the senior noncommissioned officers at FOB Tagab in order to prove themselves deserving of their projected rank and the responsibility it requires.

Prior to the promotion board, the Soldiers spent numerous hours studying doctrinal questions that all NCOs are required to know.

"I spent a few hours per night studying the week before," said Sgt. Michael Schellang, battalion fire support sergeant for 2nd Battalion. "I'm looking forward to helping out some of the younger guys prepare (for future boards)."

The battalion commander and command sergeant major addressed the unit prior to the promotion ceremony. After the initial messages to the unit, all of the soon-to-be promoted Soldiers were pinned with their new rank by their immediate supervisors, their platoon sergeants.

"I'm very proud of my guys. It was a good feeling seeing my young NCOs be rewarded for all of their hard work", said Sgt. 1st Class Terry Gilbert, platoon sergeant, 1st Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion.

He pinned all three of his squad leaders with their new ranks.

The leadership of 2nd Battalion holds promotion boards monthly if there are Soldiers who are selected as being qualified for the next rank. The criteria includes meeting the requirements for date of rank and time in service, as well as, an overall assessment of their competency, which is decided by the senior NCO's of the unit. Once all the criteria are met, the Soldier has the opportunity to attend the promotion board.

From there, if they fail the board by missing too many doctrinal questions or seem unqualified due to their military bearing, they are required to fix their errors and attempt to pass the board again at a later date.

Congratulations to the newly promoted non-commissioned officers of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment!

Related Links:

4th Brigade 10th Mountain "Patriots"