FORT DRUM, N.Y. (March 10, 2016) -- Fort Drum's Noncommissioned Officers Academy commandant and cadre have made giving back to the community a part of the course curriculum, as every Basic Leaders Course cycle has either collected food items for the needy or toys for children during the holidays.
The current BLC Class 04-16 of 57 students did something no other class has done before, as most of the students donated blood to the American Red Cross, March 3, at the Fort Drum NCOA.
"We always want to give back to the community, but we wanted to take it to another level," said Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Sikkenga, NCOA chief of operations.
"This time, they are not just giving their time, but giving a piece of themselves," Sikkenga added.
For the NCOA, it has always been about answering the question, "how do I make the Army and the community a better place?" said Sikkenga.
The American Red Cross has had a long history with Fort Drum, and staff members will routinely bring their mobile station out to receive blood donations. Chris Hoffman, an ARC account manager out of Liverpool, N.Y., brought out a crew of five to accommodate the NCOA. He said the support they received was "second to none."
"We are very appreciative of Fort Drum because blood cannot be manufactured, and it takes donations for hospital patients in need," Hoffman said. "It may be the difference between life and death."
Hoffman noted that the class donated 36 units of whole blood, which surpassed the goal of the drive.
When Spc. Justin Ryun, a petroleum supply specialist with the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, heard Command Sgt. Maj. Phil Barretto, NCOA commandant, speak to his class about the need for their donations, it was something he felt he had to do.
"I think it's so important what we do when we go overseas, but that doesn't mean we stop giving back to the community here," Ryun said. "As leaders, we don't always go and fight; we can help our homefront as well."
Ryun said he and many of his fellow students want to be able to go back to their units now and continue to strengthen their community outreach programs.
Barretto said every BLC class is asked to donate either their time or goods -- to give back to the communities they live in, and as leaders, to go back to their units and inspire their Soldiers to do the same.
"It's what leaders do," he said.
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