Promotions and awards were the flavor of the day when the 1st Battalion, 389th Regiment gathered to recognize the hard work of some of their Soldiers and Drill Sergeants.
In a ceremony hosted by commander Lt. Col. Carlos Mendez, Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Colon was promoted to Spec., Spec. Joshwa Lopez was promoted to Sgt., and Sgt. Jose Colon and Sgt. Juan Almodovar Torres were promoted to Staff Sgt.
Rounding out these well-deserved promotions were Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Gonzalez Sanchez, and Sgt. 1st Class Luis F. Santiago Sanchez, who each were pinned with the diamond signifying their promotion to 1st Sgt.
Promotions were followed by recognition of new Drill Sergeants. Only the most qualified noncommissioned officers are chosen to attend the Drill Sergeant Academy, where they are coached, taught and mentored to assume the role of Drill Sergeant within the Initial Military Training environment.
Drill Sergeant Candidates receive top notch training from their Drill Sergeant Leaders at the Academy. Being a Drill Sergeant is one of the most demanding and difficult jobs in our Army, it is also one of the most rewarding.
Earning the iconic campaign hat and lauded for graduating from the Academy were Sgt. Efren Loyo Colon, Sgt. Eliezer Rodriguez-Garcia, Sgt. Joshwa Lopez Irizarry (Honor Graduate), Sgt, Luis Quintana, , Sgt. Matthew Rodriguez-Rivera and Sgt. Gabriel Agosto Rios.
As if promotions and Drill Sergeant recognition weren’t enough, the day finished with recognition for several Battalion Soldiers who went above and beyond, demonstrating meritorious service during the time of Hurricane Maria Humanitarian Relief efforts.
Sgt. Efrain Loyo, Staff Sgt. Jose Rivera Colon, Staff Sgt. Raphael Velez Lopez, Sgt. 1st Class Ruben Castillo, Sgt. 1st Class Juan A. Velez, and 1st Sgt. Carlos Gonzalez Sanchez were all presented with the Army Achievement Medal (AAM).
These Soldiers efforts contributed immeasurably to the overall success of the mission and their achievement and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon themselves, the 1st Battalion, 389th Regiment and the United States Army.