Page 42 - A Soldiers Exposition

Having earned a weekend pass for being the “best-prepared soldier” during an inspection. When I was
returning to my unit, while signing back in from enjoying three days of exploring central Germany, on a
PFC’s salary, the unit First Sergeant yelled at me to report to his office immediately.

The unit was short-handed and needed a company clerk. He re-assigned me to the unit Orderly Room as
the company clerk. Radar, I did become. (If you watched “Mash” on TV, you understand). I was ready,
willing and able. Get me out of the warehouse please and thank you First Sergeant (TOP).

With that move, a little reading, and a few tests, I was awarded the Administrative Specialist MOS as my
secondary (SMOS) job description. I was a good soldier and later promoted to Specialist E5 and
Sergeant E5 in that MOS. That promotion in that MOS would set the stage for a near strike-out, grand
slam home run for my career just a few years later.

The First Sergeant protected me as best he could and mentored me. He explained the ins and outs of
becoming a professional soldier and how to survive and excel where others would fail.

TOP had a way about himself and a little saying: He would gather all the troops around in a circle; point
to his rank chevron (three stripes on top, a diamond in the middle, and three stripes on the bottom), and
he’d say:

“Just remember gentlemen, diamonds are trump, and I have a full house. It is my way, or you lose. I will
protect you – I will train you.”

I worshipped, appreciated and respected this man for the way he looked out for all of us.

I studied hard and worked my way up to the rank of Staff Sergeant E6.

TOP would be responsible (directly and indirectly) for many aspects of my Army life well into the future.