I was young, stupid and cocky about it. As a young Private in the Army, I thought I was everything they wanted. I was wrong. My first Platoon Sergeant looked more like a dancing master than what I thought a soldier should look like. He was short, thin and a little stooped, always had a smile unless I provoked a frown because I wouldn’t listen. He was the best soldier I ever had the honor to serve with. I learned more about what it took to succeed in the military and being a man from him than anyone else I’ve ever known. After I started becoming more of a man and soldier, we became friends and I learned even more. Because of him, I started paying it forward as a way to honor him. I trained the men trusted to me with dedication if not always his level of patience. I hope he can look back over what and who I became and appreciate how much he influenced me.
The New Word Wars 