Sergeant Morales continued from page 9
As the lowest ranking member of the new inductees, U.S.
Army Cpl. Kirsten Cooper, an assistant team leader for
Company C, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment and a
native of Mayersville, Wa., said he did a lot of studying
with teammates and maintained his physical fitness. He
added that becoming a member of the Sergeant Morales
Club was a very proud moment.
“To me, [joining this club] represents what Sgt. Morales
was,” Cooper said. “He was a fictional character, but
he represented an NCO and a good leader. I think that’s
what this club is about: being a good leader and taking
care of your soldiers.”
Hipple said it felt good to be apart of the club and that it
was an accomplishment for him.
“Fifteen years ago I never thought I would have done
something like this when I first came in [the Army],”
Hipple said.
Although Sgt. Morales and his story is a fictional tale
created to exemplify the ideal NCO, Hipple said he
could relate to the story of Sgt. Morales and the qualities
he had.
“He took care of soldiers, and was a professional and I
feel that I try to do that each and every day,” he said.
For soldiers interested in becoming a member of the elite
club, Hipple said it is really simple: live the NCO creed
every day, accomplish the mission and act professional.
U.S. Army Col. David Woods, the Multinational Battle Group-East commander and a Denbo, Pa. native, awards U.S. Army Cpl. Kirsten Cooper,
assistant team leader for Company C, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment
and a native of Mayersville, Wa., the Army Commendation Medal during
the Sergeant Morales Club induction ceremony at Camp Bondsteel Dec. 17.
“I had a sergeant when I was a private and that is one
thing he told me, that he tries to live the NCO creed
every day,” Hipple said. “That is something that stuck
with me over the 15 years, so that’s something I would
look for [in a potential member.] Be yourself and take
care of your soldiers.”
Davenport told those attending the ceremony that
joining the Sergeant Morales Club should be seen
as an investment in the future of the NCO Corps and
challenged all leaders to continue to identify soldiers
deserving of this great honor.
“In my heart I believe that Sgt. Morales is still important
after almost 40 years,” Davenport said. “Make that
investment in [soldiers] so that one day they can become
members and positive contributors to our NCO Corps.”
Senior leaders, peers and junior enlisted soldiers gather around to congratulate the 11 noncommissioned officers who became members of the Sergeant
Morales Club following an induction ceremony at Camp Bondsteel Dec. 17.
PG 11