ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - One week after winning Soldier of the Year in the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year competition, Pfc. Joshua Inserra was promoted to specialist at the RDECOM communications-electronics center, or CERDEC, headquarters, April 5.
Inserra, a signal support maintainer in the CERDEC Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate, is a junior Soldier with 22 months of service and less than 12 months at CERDEC. The promotion was his first since enlisting.
"This means a lot to me because it was my first promotion," said Inserra. "In the Army, ranks are the most important thing and to have all my peers here was an amazing thing. I really enjoyed it."
Jill Smith, CERDEC director, had the honor of promoting Inserra during the ceremony. Smith, a civilian with the equivalent ranking of a two star general, noted it was the first time she had the opportunity to promote a private first class to specialist. During the ceremony Smith acknowledged Inserra's achievement.
"First, I'd just like to say congratulations," said Smith. "We expect great things from you. We'd really like to know where you end up one day."
Several Soldiers from S&TCD attended the ceremony including Lt. Col. William Utroska, CERDEC S&TCD military deputy director, and Sgt. 1st Class Jim Fuller, CERDEC senior enlisted officer.
"It's an honor to have your first promotion and he's getting it before his time--before he normally would," said Fuller. "It's a result of the competition, but also the job he's done overall as a Soldier."
As winner of the RDECOM competition, Inserra will advance to the Army Materiel Command Soldier of the Year Competition. Inserra will go through intensive training before the competition and is confident about his ability to win.
"I feel great about it [the AMC competition]. I'm going in with the head that I'm going to win it. I hate losing. I'm going to go in with my head held high and kick some butt," said Inserra.
Beyond the competition, Inserra is looking ahead to his future in the Army. He plans to study for the boards for further promotions.
"I'm looking forward to bigger and better things--possibly sergeant in six months. I'll be working my tail off to get that."
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RDECOM recognizes NCO, Soldier of the Year
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