Green to golden opportunity

By Chad AsheJune 16, 2021

Sgt. David Sullivan, an Optical Laboratory Specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, begins creating lenses where the lab fabricates between 76,000 to 80,000 eyeglasses per year for trainees and Tricare beneficiaries around the Fort Leonard Wood area.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. David Sullivan, an Optical Laboratory Specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, begins creating lenses where the lab fabricates between 76,000 to 80,000 eyeglasses per year for trainees and Tricare beneficiaries around the Fort Leonard Wood area. (Photo Credit: Chad Ashe) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. David Sullivan, an Optical Laboratory Specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, begins creating lenses where the lab fabricates between 76,000 to 80,000 eyeglasses per year for trainees and Tricare beneficiaries around the Fort Leonard Wood area.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. David Sullivan, an Optical Laboratory Specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, begins creating lenses where the lab fabricates between 76,000 to 80,000 eyeglasses per year for trainees and Tricare beneficiaries around the Fort Leonard Wood area. (Photo Credit: Chad Ashe) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. David Sullivan, an Optical Laboratory Specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, stands with a photo of him and his grandfather—a WWII veteran and Army retiree who had adopted his father while traveling in Turkey.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. David Sullivan, an Optical Laboratory Specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, stands with a photo of him and his grandfather—a WWII veteran and Army retiree who had adopted his father while traveling in Turkey. (Photo Credit: Chad Ashe) VIEW ORIGINAL

As an optical laboratory specialist at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Sgt. David Sullivan helps fabricate about 80,000 eyeglasses each year for trainees and Tricare beneficiaries in the Fort Leonard Wood community. Sullivan has been in his position two years, and has established himself as a hard working noncommissioned officer.

“He takes initiative,” said Cheryl Berry, one of his coworkers, who in-processed the unit with him. “He doesn’t hesitate; he is a good leader.”

Sullivan’s leadership skills will come in handy as he gets ready to enter the Army’s Green-to-Gold program, which gives enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree or a two-year graduate degree and earn a commission as an Army officer.

Though he has a four-year degree already, Sullivan aims to complete a master’s degree in exercise science through the program.

Sullivan said he entered the program to emulate and honor the legacy of his grandfather – a World War II veteran and retired lieutenant colonel, who adopted Sullivan’s father while traveling in Turkey, then brought him to the U.S. for an education.

“My father wasn’t in the Army, but he raised me with discipline,” Sullivan said.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Sullivan said there are a lot of opportunities in the Army for anyone willing to work hard.

“It’s definitely a good idea to take advantage of everything,” he said.

Sullivan’s supervisor, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Kamo, said three Soldiers in the unit have completed Green-to-Gold packets in the past two years, and while he doesn’t want to lose another good NCO, “you can’t fault them for wanting to further their career.”

“He’s already honored his grandfather,” Kamo added. “It doesn’t matter if you go enlisted or officer, he volunteered his service. He went to college and had a bachelor’s degree before he joined the Army. He could have done a multitude of things, and he chose to do this to honor his grandfather.”

Sullivan said everyone ultimately decides their own path – he wants to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and become an officer.