FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- Challenge is defined as a demanding or stimulating situation. Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Brown was working two jobs, going to school full time, and raising two small children. For Brown, every day was a challenge.
That all changed the week he went home for his sister's graduation.
"My sister's Army recruiter was there for her graduation. After speaking to the recruiter, I decided to enlist," said Brown.
At the time, he didn't think the Army would become a career.
"My sister and brother both served four years, and that was my original plan. But, I loved being an NCO and decided to stay in," Brown said.
Brown's first assignment was at the West Point Hospital in the pharmacy for in- and out-patients. It was there he met 1st Sgt. Anthony Elliott.
"He is the epitome of a good NCO. He has truly made me who I am today. We've kept in touch over the years, and I will be going down to Fort Sam Houston, (Texas), to work with him again," Brown said.
After West Point, Brown was then stationed in Hawaii assigned to Tripler Army Hospital. After that, he was assigned to Division at Fort Drum (N.Y.) and deployed to Afghanistan for a year. "While I was in Afghanistan, I re-enlisted and was assigned to DeWitt (Army Medical Hospital) at Fort Belvoir.
Brown is the NCOIC at DeWitt's inpatient pharmacy. He is responsible for all the IVs and medications patients staying in the hospital receive.
Of all his assignments, Brown felt working with Soldiers at Drum as a platoon sergeant was most rewarding.
"I was in charge of 34 Soldiers and the camaraderie was amazing. We would face every problem together. It was challenging preparing for deployment, working in that atmosphere at a deployment pace, all while making sure every Soldier is taken care of. It was one of my greatest prides, as well as challenges," Brown said.
Brown advises Soldiers who want to succeed to take care of others.
"It is in the NCO Creed. I truly believe if you take care of your Soldiers, they will take care of completing the mission. Understanding the mission and taking care of people are just so imperative. You kill two birds with one stone," Brown said.
Brown also advises Soldiers to take on personal challenges and make them successes.
"Many people become threatened by younger guys coming in. It's my job to make sure these younger Soldiers are successful. I feel if I leave, and the Soldier taking over my position does it just as well, then that is success. Develop your Soldiers to do your job. It is better to leave the Army in capable hands you can depend on. I learned that from 1st Sgt. Elliott," Brown said. Brown tries to follow Elliott's leadership style as much as possible, while adding his own experience and style.
"A good leader is passionate. 1st Sgt. Elliott really helped me. I had a problem making 5 a.m. PT with two small children. He took care of my kids those mornings. He went above and beyond. Being an NCO is not a 9 to 5 job, it's 24/7. He was constantly asking us questions about medications, side effects, results, and always pushing us to do better. We used to hold competitions to see who could help the most patients in a day in a safe and correct manner. It taught us many important things. You won't always have that leadership there. You need to be able to fill that role to the same standard. I want my job to be performed to the same level after I leave as it was when I was there," Brown said.
At one time, Brown considered becoming an officer.
"There was a time I thought I wanted to be an officer. It fills an important role. I wouldn't have been happy, because I wouldn't have been able to give back to the Army the same way it guided and inspired me. I just really enjoy being an NCO. I can't wait to get down to Fort Sam Houston with 1st Sgt. Elliott to train new Soldiers and truly give back. I have been given so much," Brown said.
When he's not on duty challenging and encouraging his Soldiers, Brown spends as much time with his family as possible. "I now have 5 kids ages 15, 14, 10, 6, and 5. I absolutely love playing sports and board games with them," Brown said.
Social Sharing