Barnard: 'Learn as you go'

By Delawese Fulton, Fort Jackson LeaderJuly 30, 2009

Barnard: 'Learn as you go'
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Rank, name

Master Sgt. Christopher Barnard

Unit

Headquarters, S3,

2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment

Military Occupational

Specialty / Job title

11Z, infantryman

Years in service

16

Family

Married

Highest education

Some college

Hobbies

Working out, riding his bicycle

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Master Sgt. Christopher Barnard said he has learned and developed as a Soldier by doing, gaining know-how as he learned tasks on the fly.

The highlight and most memorable learn-as-you-go military experience for him was when he was stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y. There, Barnard was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division and its Long Range Surveillance Detachment.

"LRSD only had two officers so I had to learn the administrative and planning side, too.

Because this unit had few officers and more NCOs ... I developed more as a Soldier," Barnard said.

Barnard added that his first sergeant at Fort Drum (Michael Lyons), who has since retired, contributed to his development as a Soldier.

"He guided me along. He taught me to always have my (paperwork and award filings) turned in on time," Barnard said.

During his 16-year military career, Barnard has also been assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky., and Fort Bragg, N.C. He has deployed to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Before he retires in another four years or so, Barnard said he would like to become a sergeant major and at least earn an associate degree.

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