FORT CARSON, Colo. -- As operations end in Afghanistan, many of the young Soldiers who served gained valuable experience, experience that will set the foundation for the next generation of Soldier and the future of our Army.
Sgt. Nathan Brown, senior scout observer in reconnaissance platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division is one of these young leaders.
Brown, a Deltona, Florida native, joined the Army in 2011 after graduating high school.
"I joined the Army because I felt it was the right thing to do," Brown said. "Ever since my family came over in the 1700's, (a relative of mine has) fought in every war that America has been in. It was my turn to step up."
After completing advanced individual training, Brown was assigned to Fort Carson's 4th IBCT. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the Mountain Warriors in March, 2012.
"My first deployment was to Kunar Province, Afghanistan. It was a tricky deployment; I was 19 years old going in there. Thankfully, I had good leadership," Brown said.
Five months into the deployment, Brown was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained.
"I was in a room on our Forward Operating Base, helping plan a mission, when an 82mm mortar went through the roof and blew up a meter away from me - I took some shrapnel," Brown said. "I had the choice: they could send me home to take the large pieces out or I could rest and see how I healed."
Brown chose to stay.
"I could still walk, so I decided to see how it would heal," Brown said. "I didn't leave because when I deployed, my unit was like my family -- my family was still there so I would stay with them."
Brown said he gained experience and knowledge throughout that deployment that has helped him as a young leader.
"I can say from firsthand experience that I know what it feels (like) going through (certain) things (in the Army). I can relate to Soldiers - I've done the details they have to do, the patrols," Brown said. "If someone gets hurt, I can say I know it's hard, but I'm still here, I kept on going so you (can) too."
Brown deployed again in March, 2014 earning a spot in the reconnaissance platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg. "Red Warriors".
"The platoon I'm in now, there are try-outs to get in," Brown said. "It's an honor (for me) to be in it."
"We hand-pick our personnel for the recon platoon," said Staff Sgt. Joel Kreusel, squad leader in HHC, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg. "The Soldier has to be physically fit and excel in training. Brown is the kind of motivated Soldier we look for; he loves the Army and his organization."
While deployed, Brown attended the Soldier of the Month board in October, 2014.
"Brown has the right attitude for a Soldier, he not only won the Soldier of the Month board but also went on to pass the promotion board eventually earning the rank of sergeant," said 1st Sgt. Matt O'neil of HHC, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg. "He is one of my heavy hitters, next we will send him to the Non-commissioned Officer of the Month board."
Brown said he is glad his position in the reconnaissance platoon enables him to coach and train Soldiers.
Social Sharing