Fort Drum Soldier earns honor as Transportation NCO of the Year

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Each year, the U.S. Army Transportation Corps selects one deserving noncommissioned officer for recognition as the Transportation Corps Regimental NCO of the Year. For 2010, that honor has been awarded to a Fort Drum Soldier.

Sgt. 1st Class Carl Ladson, who serves as highway operations sergeant for 548th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, is scheduled to receive the award July 29 at Fort Lee, Va.

A native of Bloomfield, Conn., Ladson enlisted in 1986 as a motor transport operator.

“I joined the military, following in the footsteps of my father; also to serve my country and see the world,” he said.

Before arriving at Fort Drum in August 2004, Ladson was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; Hawaii; Korea and Germany.

Ladson was nominated for the award by 1st Lt. Kenneth A. Slaton, transportation operations officer in charge for 548th CSSB.

Slaton served as executive officer of 110th Transportation Company and Ladson was truck master for 57th Transportation Company when they first met in 2009.

Ladson volunteered to help train and certify 110th Transportation Company for its deployment to Iraq.

Slaton was wholly impressed with how Ladson’s standard operating procedures and training applied 100 percent to what they experienced in Iraq.

“He really set us up for success; his realistic training became the foundation for what we accomplished in Iraq,” said Slaton.

“Ladson is a wonderful mentor, not only to junior enlisted (Soldiers) but to officers as well. He is the best NCO I have ever served with,” he said.

Slaton was quite pleased when he was assigned to 548th CSSB and found that Ladson would be his NCOIC.

Slaton said he wanted to see this highly capable NCO recognized for his outstanding efforts, so he nominated Ladson for the regimental NCO of the year.

“To receive this prestigious award is truly the highlight of my career,” Ladson said.

Ladson plans to retire from the Army soon and wishes to relocate to Fort Lee, Va., with hopes of working at the U.S. Army Transportation School there.