Warrior's corner.

SDDC Command Sgt. Maj. Tomas R. Hawkins

Warriors

It has been about a year since I've come to SDDC and I must admit that it's been a year full of learning experiences and exposure to another side of what some consider "business as usual."

Terms such as the "Road Ahead" and "The New Normalcy" have a clearer meaning and understanding and have been opportunities to expand the knowledge and capabilities of what we presently do and what we are proposing to do in the future. What we use to do has taken on some new responsibilities with bigger and hopefully better relationships with our military and industry customers and partners.

Over the last few months, I've had an opportunity to travel to Bahrain, Fujuarah, and Dubai in Southwest Asia, and most recently Okinawa, Mainland Japan, Korea and Hawaii. On these trips I've talked with commercial partners and our work force and found the overall morale continues to remain high. The customer service provided and the challenges faced on a daily basis are handled with the utmost level of professionalism.

Respectfully, I feel confident in saying the same for our stateside personnel. I am extremely proud of our command and what we are doing for the services and civilian communities.

Our first command level exercise, SURFEX, was a success. It provided an audience to look at the systems and processes we use and identify shortfalls in order to provide recommendations and solutions to improve our sustainment and deployment forces via surface lift.

We have also had some great Soldiers mobilized to serve with us over the past few years. Some have recently come back and have returned to their civilian jobs and some have extended their time to continue to serve. I proudly salute them and their efforts in answering the Nation's call. Medals and Commander's coins are but small tokens of our appreciation. For some, these and mere words just aren't enough to say thank you.

There is one Soldier who enjoyed doing what he does so much he extended his time on mobilization to stay with the SDDC team in SWA. The reason I mention this Soldier is because over the past year not only has he been battling the threat in the Kuwait theater, he has also been unknowingly battling an enemy from within.

Staff Sgt. Frank Valentin from the 1174th Transportation Terminal Battalion has been diagnosed with cancer and has been brought back to Walter Reed Army Hospital for treatment. I have spoken with Staff. Sgt. Valentin and he is handling himself and the situation like a true hero. He's in the Fisher House at Walter Reed and starting his treatment.

As I close this article I am asking that we all be prayerful for Staff Sgt. Valentin and his family. If you need some assistance in your train of thought, just read the 34th chapter of Psalms, verses 1-4 where it starts with "I will bless the Lord at all times ..." and ends with "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Every time you do, think of the Valentin's.

Courage and strength come in many facets. There will always come a time when we will need some help from one another.

As always I enjoy sharing the field of battle with you. Until next time ...

"Let's Roll!"

WARRIOR ETHOS

It has come to my attention that everyone is still not familiar with our motto (Surface Warriors--Let's Roll!) and some feel that being Surface Warriors pertains only to the military make up of the command. I need for leaders at every level-military or civilian--to spread the understanding that we as members of the United States have a fighter's attitude, a never quit mentality, a warrior spirit that will always surface when challenged or threatened in anything we do. We all are Surface Warriors at SDDC. I ask that you place a copy of the SDDC Warrior Ethos in your work place and when those challenging times arise, take a few minutes to read over it and become refocused on what you're doing ... I do all the time!!

The Warrior Ethos compels Soldiers to fight through all conditions to victory, no matter how long it takes and no matter how much effort is required. It is the Soldier's selfless commitment to the Nation, mission, unit and fellow Soldiers. It is the professional attitude that inspires every American Soldier. The Warrior Ethos is grounded in refusal to accept failure. It is developed and sustained through discipline, example, commitment to Army values, and pride in the Army's heritage.

It was in this spirit that we live and serve by "The Soldier's Creed":

   I am an American Soldier.

   I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve
   the people of the United States and live the Army
   Values.

   I will always place the mission first.

   I will never accept defeat.

   I will never quit.

   I will never leave a fallen comrade.

   I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,
   trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and
   drills.

   I always maintain my arms, my equipment and
   myself.

   I am an expert and I am a professional.

   I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the
   enemies of the United States of America in close
   combat.

   I am a guardian of freedom and the American
   way of life.

   I am a member of the Military Surface
   Deployment and Distribution Command.

   I am a Surface Warrior.