Future civilian leaders hear from decorated war fighter

By Skip VaughnJanuary 26, 2015

Future civilian leaders hear from decorated war fighter
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Future civilian leaders hear from decorated war fighter
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The flight medic Soldier described his harrowing combat experiences in Afghanistan for a hushed audience Jan. 13 in Bob Jones Auditorium.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Kinney, 36, of Nacogdoches, Texas, received a standing ovation from the estimated 400 attendees at the annual graduation ceremony for AMCOM's Leader Investment for Tomorrow program. But as the ceremony's guest speaker, he wanted to express his appreciation to the workforce for providing the aviation parts that keep the helicopters flying in the war zone.

"If you take anything away from this, just know I can't do my job without you," said Kinney, now a member of the 1st Air Combat Brigade, part of the 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. He was in Afghanistan from 2007-09 and 2011-12 and also did three tours in Iraq. Kinney received the Air Medal for Valor for his actions July 13, 2008, the Distinguished Flying Cross for Sept. 6, 2008, and the Silver Star for Oct. 16, 2008.

After his presentation, which included videos, he received praise from one of his former leaders in Afghanistan, Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command.

"Common Soldier doing extraordinary things," Richardson said.

Kinney's presentation underscored the importance of Team Redstone's future leaders represented by the program's 68 graduates, civilians in grades GS 9-15, from 20 different organizations. They included the past year's graduates of Advanced LIFT, GS 14-15 or equivalent; LIFT, GS 12-13 or equivalent; and UPLIFT, GS 11 and below. They completed 10 months in their respective training.

"I learned a lot about myself," UPLIFT graduate Melissa Chambers, of the AMCOM Logistics Center, said. "And how to be a better leader, a better person and how to handle different situations that I may encounter."

Jonathan Niedergeses, of the Garrison, also graduated from UPLIFT. "It was a class designed to teach us the seven Army values," he said. "And basically we did a lot of public speaking to prepare us to speak in front of senior Army leaders.

"Personally I learned a lot of about public speaking, becoming more comfortable, and just a deep appreciation for what the military does for us," Niedergeses added. "My mentor, David Ricks of AMRDEC, allowed me technical experience with his organization and really helped me understand leadership development through his organization. We met every month and he had goals lined up for me to accomplish."

Ginger Simmons, of AMCOM G-6 (Information Technology), was among the LIFT graduates. "It was a great opportunity to advance leadership skills and build relationships across AMCOM and Team Redstone," she said.

The career management division of the AMCOM G-1 (Human Resources) administers and facilitates the program. LIFT started in 2005. And the UPLIFT program began in 2008.

Completion certificates were awarded to the following graduates:

• Advanced LIFT -- Dodd Bouchillon, Daniel Bryant, Dr. Claretha Jennings, John Little, Nancy Lykins, John Penley, Prabhakar "Peter" Rao, James Paul Robinson, Chris Schwan, Matthew Sipe, Kristopher Strope, Baraka Truss and Devinti Williams.

• LIFT -- Delicia Battle, Elizabeth Blankenship, Lori-Ann Bradley, Kenneth Bruton, Jamie Chilton, Leah Cook, Tara Cotton, Joshua Flinn, Dorphelia Foster, Dennis Granger II, Robert Hearon, Lisa Hirschler, Cynthia Hufty, Richard Jodoin, Torri Johnson, Shannon Marion, Sarah McDaniel, Dwayne McMichael, Keil Oliver, Josette Paschal, Waldemar Ramirez III, Sharon Richmond, Nathan Sandmeyer, Shirelle Sharpley, Ginger Simmons, LaToya Sims, Trent Steadman, Jared Tarver, Gerald Teixeira, Paige Walker and Sheree York.

• UPLIFT -- George Bell, Steven Benefield, Larry Bradford, Jason Bradshaw, Faith Bridges, Amy Brown, Melissa Chambers, Wanda Chambers, Danielle Dutcher, Shavonne Fuller, Zackary Heatherly, William Johnston, Kacy League, Whitney Martin, Jordan Matthews, Pearline McCauley, Michelle Mendes, Jonathan Niedergeses, Felicia Nordan, Airelle Odom, Melissa Pierce, Ted Ryon, Jennifer Weiger and Jimmy Woolbright.