SCHWETZINGEN, Germany - The command sergeant major for U.S. Army Europe visited Soldiers from the 18th Engineer Brigade at Tompkins Barracks here Nov. 23.
Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas R. Capel was invited by Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Clark, the 18th Eng. Bde. command sergeant major and a native of Knoxville, Tenn., to show the capabilities that engineers provide to USAREUR and how the engineers build teamwork within their noncommissioned officer corps.
After arriving at Tompkins Barracks, Capel began his day like every other Soldier by doing some physical training. Leading the way for numerous NCOs in the 18th Eng. Bde., Capel and Clark ran four miles while stressing the importance of the NCO creed and the warrior ethos.
"It was a great session of PT this morning with Command Sgt. Maj. Clark and the NCOs, teaching the NCOs what right looks like," said Capel, a native of Ellerbe, N.C.
Afterward, Capel received a command briefing on the brigade and its mission, as well as the capabilities the brigade engineer formations provide each and every day.
"I was invited down here by Command Sgt. Maj. Clark to do PT, visit and talk to the Soldiers." said Capel. "On top of that I wanted to come down here and see how the Soldiers are living and make sure they are getting the things they need prior to heading out to war here in the next few months."
Following the command briefing and talking to the Soldiers, Capel visited the brigade's Emergency Management Assessment Team, 60th Geospatial Planning Cell and the Soldiers' barracks.
He ended his day at the 18th Eng. Bde. by presenting coins to the outstanding Soldiers and NCOs of the brigade. He was also presented an 18th Eng. Bde. castle from Clark.
Overall, Capel said he was pleased with what he saw from his visit and believes the brigade is ready to deploy and to do the job on the battlefield that their country asks them to do.
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