U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charlie Ward, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion commander, awards 1st Sgt. Edgar Zavala, 13th CSSB, Headquarters and Headquarters Company first sergeant, an Army Achievement Medal for supporting the Seattle Army Recruiting Battalion’s recruiting efforts, May 18 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Soldier Earns Medal for Recruiting Efforts
By Tom Conning, USAREC, Seattle Battalion
July 1, 2015
The Seattle Recruiting Battalion awarded a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier with the Army Achievement Medal for outstanding dedication and service to the Army.
First Sgt. Edgar Zavala, the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company first sergeant, was recognized for referring applicants to the battalion, four of whom enlisted.
“I never had the intentions of doing this for that, other than just helping the recruiting command with their mission because I was there, and I know how difficult it can be,” Zavala said. “I never knew that this would come about.”
CSSB commander Lt. Col. Charlie Ward said the medal is a testament to Zavala’s dedication to the Army.
“The guy’s always looking at opportunities well above the local organization to better the institution we have and make sure we have quality Soldiers in our organization,” he said. “He’s not looking to do something to get an award for it; he’s looking to do things because it’s the right thing to do.”
The ‘Soldier Referral Program’ was implemented by Seattle Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Vylius Leskys this year.
“We promote the Soldier Referral Program under the umbrella of Total Army Involvement in Recruiting for Regular Army and Army Reserve Soldiers throughout our area of responsibility,” Leskys said. “The program encourages Soldiers to operate as ambassadors of the Army in our local communities as they share their Army stories.”
Soldiers earn a Certificate of Achievement for providing five qualified leads. If one referral enlists, the Soldier receives a Certificate of Achievement, a Seattle Battalion coin and a letter of recognition. The Army Achievement Medal is awarded for two or more enlistments -- contingent upon endorsement from the Soldier’s leadership.
By Tom Conning, USAREC, Seattle Battalion
July 1, 2015
The Seattle Recruiting Battalion awarded a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier with the Army Achievement Medal for outstanding dedication and service to the Army.
First Sgt. Edgar Zavala, the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company first sergeant, was recognized for referring applicants to the battalion, four of whom enlisted.
“I never had the intentions of doing this for that, other than just helping the recruiting command with their mission because I was there, and I know how difficult it can be,” Zavala said. “I never knew that this would come about.”
CSSB commander Lt. Col. Charlie Ward said the medal is a testament to Zavala’s dedication to the Army.
“The guy’s always looking at opportunities well above the local organization to better the institution we have and make sure we have quality Soldiers in our organization,” he said. “He’s not looking to do something to get an award for it; he’s looking to do things because it’s the right thing to do.”
The ‘Soldier Referral Program’ was implemented by Seattle Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Vylius Leskys this year.
“We promote the Soldier Referral Program under the umbrella of Total Army Involvement in Recruiting for Regular Army and Army Reserve Soldiers throughout our area of responsibility,” Leskys said. “The program encourages Soldiers to operate as ambassadors of the Army in our local communities as they share their Army stories.”
Soldiers earn a Certificate of Achievement for providing five qualified leads. If one referral enlists, the Soldier receives a Certificate of Achievement, a Seattle Battalion coin and a letter of recognition. The Army Achievement Medal is awarded for two or more enlistments -- contingent upon endorsement from the Soldier’s leadership.