Soldiers join time-honored corps, run annual road race

 

By Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry
Georgia National Guard
Public Affairs Office

 CAMP BUCCA, Iraq – Members of Augusta’s 278th Military Police Company took time out from their regular duties to induct several newly promoted sergeants into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps and to conduct their own Army Ten-Miler Road Race.

 The 278th, which deployed Jan. 7,2008 to Iraq, is  serving as part of the active Army’s 42nd Military Police Brigade from Fort Lewis, Wash. Its Soldiers have been working with detainees since March 26.

 “Activities such as these are great distractions from the rigors of the daily routine,” said 1st Sgt. Callie Leaver, the units senior enlisted Soldier. “Our folks work hard and remain professional in carrying out the mission, so recognizing those being promoted and putting on our own version of various events helps keep morale high.”

Sergeant Chad Hutchinson is among the Soldiers of the 278th who participated in the unit’s version of the annual Army 10 Miler Road Race. (Georgia National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Callie Leaver)

On Sept. 30, sergeants Joseph Richard, of  Union City; Chris O'Neal, of Adairsville; Gregory Hattaway, of

Hawkinsville; Chris Lewis, of Carrolton; Chadwick Bingham, of Commerce; Antonio Blasini, of Jackson; Ronnie Murray of Stone Mountain; Jonathan King, of Augusta; Chad Hutchinson, of Duluth; Joseph Earley, of LaGrange and Arista Cowan, of Jasper, became a part

of what is known as the “backbone of the Army.”

 Inducting new sergeants into the NCO Corps is a time honored tradition of the active, Guard and Reserve force. It’s a celebration of their joining the corps’ ranks, and it emphasizes – and builds on– the pride NCOs share as members.

 “It marks their transition from being a lower enlisted Soldier –just one of the guys or gals– to the mantle of leadership within the enlisted ranks,” Leaver said.

 That transition culminated with the new NCOs affirming their commitment to the professionalism of the corps and Georgia Army Guard by reciting the NCO Creed.

 Early said the ceremony made him realize the importance of his role as an NCO. It inspired him, he said,  to think about how his new role as a leader places more responsibility on him when it comes to taking care of Soldiers and meeting the needs of the mission.

 “I have, as we all have, started a new page in our careers,” he said. “Not only do we have to grow as leaders, we must also – more than ever – set the example for those we lead.”

 Nine days later, Hutchinson, Leaver and other members of the 278th participated in the unit’s own version of the annual Army Ten-Miler here, as did other units at throughout the war zone.

Put on by U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the Ten-Miler is America’s largest 10-mile road race, and the second largest in the world. Considered the Army’s premier running event, the stateside race route begins and ends at the Pentagon.

 “If you’re a runner like me, you gotta love a race like this,” Hutchinson said. “It surely would have been great to be in the real thing, but this –considering the situation– will suffice until next year when we’re back home.”

 As important as it is to recognize the runners, it’s just as important to applaud those who organized the race, Leaver said. First lieutenants Albert Roberts and Latasha Williams, along with staff sergeants Keith Markle and Robert Hathcock did an outstanding job, he said.