10th Mountain Soldiers advance in competition for General MacArthur Leadership Award

By Spc. Kay EdwardsJanuary 13, 2020

10th Mountain Soldiers advance in competition for General MacArthur Leadership Award
Capt. Robert Reed, company commander of Charlie Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and Capt. Matthew Stein, the aide-de-camp to the commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, were selected to go on to the Army... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Capt. Robert Reed, company commander of Charlie Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and Capt. Matthew Stein, the aide-de-camp to the commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, were selected to go on to the Army-level review for the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Dec. 6, 2019 at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Gen. MacArthur award recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which he stood- duty, honor, and country. Candidates are typically nominated by the senior officers in their chain of command. In Reed's case, it came as a total surprise.

"I've known a couple of buddies that have gone through the Gen. Douglas MacArthur leadership award process," said Reed. "But when I actually got the email that said that I had ultimately been selected to attend the FORSCOM assessment, it was definitely a shock."

The U.S. Army Forces Command hosts an annual Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Assesment at Fort Bragg, N.C. in which candidates are evaluated on their Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) results, a board appearance and written essay on leadership, and on their board-nomination packet.

"It was a really cool event to be able to get there with such a distinguished group of my peers," said Reed.

The selection was also unexpected for Stein.

"I was completely surprised and humbled by the nomination," said Stein. "There are so many fantastic officers in our Army, and the fact that anyone would nominate me for this award is a testament to the awesome people I've been lucky enough to work around."

While the winners will not be announced until June 2020, simply being nominated for this award is a feat in itself.

"Somebody saw in me the qualities and traits that they think makes a good leader," said Reed. "To have that reassurance from the officers in this outstanding chain of command here at 10th Mountain Division, you come away with a warm feeling."