FORT NOVOSEL, Ala.-The sound of a CH-47 Chinook is a daily occurrence for those in the Wiregrass, but students nearly 100 miles away from the home of Army Aviation had a taste of that excitement for themselves. Fort Novosel Aviators and Soldiers participated in the Army Recruiting Command’s Hometown Hero event on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Hillcrest High School and Conecuh County Schools.
Col. Sherdrick Rankin, a Hillcrest High School (then Conecuh County High School) graduate and the 2nd Recruiting Brigade Commander, was the Hometown Hero guest speaker.
Rankin, and the Montgomery Recruiting Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Michael Johnson arrived in a 110th Aviation Brigade CH-47 Chinook helicopter, along with 1-13th Aviation Regiment Soldiers in Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and their Drill Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Kristian Jimenez, landing on the school’s football field.
Rankin’s inspirational speech described how his teachers encouraged him to be and do better and thanked the community for their support over the years. He also emphasized the benefits that the Army provides to Soldiers and their families through service. He introduced 4 graduates of Hillcrest High School that are current active-duty Soldiers and gave them the opportunity to tell their Army story.
The students then toured the Chinook, met the crew, and talked with the AIT Soldiers.
Drill Sergeant Jimenez took this opportunity to recognize and promote Pvt. Dusenge Jean-Chrisostome from E-1 to E-2. Jimenez said that Pvt. Jean “has displayed outstanding development towards becoming a 15Q Air Traffic Control Operator and is therefore selected to be promoted ahead of his peers.”
Jean was congratulated by his fellow Soldiers and the high school students alike, who were very impressed that he was promoted on the field, in front of the Chinook.
After his promotion, Jean said that he has loved all his adventures in the Army so far. He said plans on “staying in the Army for a very long time.”
For more photos of the event, go to the Fort Novosel Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortnovosel/albums/
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