CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (April 28, 2016) -- No one is more professional than I.
Thus begins the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer, by which the Army's enlisted leaders live.
Cpl. Aimee Feary, a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, is the epitome of a professional NCO, according to those who deployed with her in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Her performance while deployed with Task Force Chosin supports that assessment.
Feary arrived in Iraq in the fall of 2015, not knowing that her work at the aid station would be only a small portion of her duties.
Within a few short weeks, she found herself in charge of the aid station in Besmaya as well as coordinating the activities of senior line medics at various locations.
As busy as she was, Feary made time to push herself physically, mentally and professionally as she rose to several challenges.
Feary was one of four medics, out of 15 who made the attempt, to earn the prestigious Expert Field Medical Badge at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, in February.
In March, Feary graduated from Basic Leader Course at Camp Buehring, earning the title of Distinguished Honor Graduate as well as Iron Warrior, for achieving the highest physical fitness test score.
Feary is the only NCO in her battalion to have earned all three of those honors, said Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Holmes, 1-32 Infantry senior enlisted adviser.
"Achieving just one of these milestones requires hard work, dedication, mental agility and toughness," said Holmes, "along with extreme physical conditioning."
Her supervisor, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Durci, operations sergeant with HHC, said Feary lives the NCO Creed every day, far exceeding the standards for any task she performs.
"She constantly takes the initiative and steps up to any role that she is given," Durci said. "She leads from the front."
Feary said she was surprised by all of the opportunities she has been afforded and by the recognition that her accomplishments have garnered.
"It seems crazy to me," she said. "It means a lot to know that my command has faith in me."
More than inspiring faith in her abilities, Feary's achievements give insight into her unlimited potential, according to Holmes.
"(Feary) has clearly demonstrated the ability to serve in positions of increased responsibility and to do so with distinction," Holmes said.
Feary said she hopes other enlisted Soldiers can relate to her accomplishments as a junior NCO and realize that if she can do it, so can they.
"Hopefully, I can motivate others to step out of their comfort zone and give things try," Feary said.
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