IMCOM-Europe NCO of the Year Advances Another Stripe

By John Reese, USAG Garmisch Public Affairs OfficeJanuary 11, 2008

IMCOM-Europe NCO of the Year Advances Another Stripe
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GARMISCH, Germany - With his parents, wife and the U.S. Army Garrison Garmisch community in attendance, the Installation Management Command-Europe noncommissioned officer of the year was promoted here Jan. 7 in a ceremony at the headquarters building.

For Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Allison, NCOIC of garrison emergency services, receiving senior NCO status rounded out a year of achievements. He represented IMCOM in the Army-wide competition during the 2007 NCO of the Year competition - after taking USAG Stuttgart and IMCOM-Europe honors.

His accomplishments speak volumes about Allison as a Soldier, said Sgt. Maj. Grant Jones, from U.S. Army Europe's office of the provost marshal.

"That's not happenstance, that's somebody whose dedicated to what they're doing," said Jones. "(And it's) not just studying. It really requires that you embody the NCO Creed."

Accordingly, the sergeant major presented Allison with a wall plaque of the NCO Creed, encouraging him to display wherever he served, be it an office or tent, not for his own benefit but for that of younger Soldiers who will look to him as a role model.

"He's a true leader," Jones told those attending the ceremony. "He got promoted. Instead of resting on yesterday's laurels, he's asking for the next (challenge). That's just reflective of the caliber of NCO he is."

"I think USAG Garmisch is lucky to have him," added Capt. VickyLynne, Garmisch provost marshal and Allison's commanding officer. "Sgt. First Class Allison has the unique ability to blend both family life ... and taking care of Soldiers, which is what we need in a community where we're so small."

Allison thanked his Soldiers and peers, some of whom traveled from across Germany, for their participation. He singled out 1st Sergeant Riki Hawk, 92nd Military Police Battalion, as a mentor. The two served three years together in the 92nd MP in Baumholder, Germany - and it was Hawk who pinned Allison with his new rank insignia.

Allison, who enlisted in November 1997 as an infantryman, has served five tours away from his family, including Argentina, Kosovo, Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan. He thanked his wife for her inspiration during his years of service, adding that she made the decision for him to reenlist.

"She actually did everything for me. All I did was work and she insured that everything else was taken care of," said Allison.

Knowing full well the hardships he would face, Allison still hopes to return downrange to lead younger troops. In fact, he said he reclassified into the MP career field in 1999 due to it being one of the most deployed forces.

"I want to go back to a line unit and deploy as a platoon sergeant," said Allison.

Until then, he continues to serve the Garmisch community. "Sgt. 1st Class Allison joined our family in 2006, and we're very proud of him," said Karin H. Santos, USAG Garmisch manager.

Allison's decorations include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Parachute Badge and the Combat Action Badge.