Decorated Golden Knight Memorialized at Pope Airfield

  

Memorial for Golden Knights member Master Sgt. Corey Hood

Story and Photo by 

Shahron L. James

Public Affairs Specialist

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

Today Master Sgt. Corey Keith Hood was honored in a memorial held on Pope Army Airfield at the Golden Knights Aviation Hangar.   

Of those in attendance were Lindsay Hood, wife of Master Sgt. Hood, and Lt. Col. Matthew Weinrich, the Golden Knights' commander.  

“I was hoping for clear skies today, but with the low ceiling and high winds I realize that this may have been the only way God could get Corey to attend his own memorial”, said Lt. Col. Weinrich.

 

Lt. Col. Weinrich presented remarks to the group of more than 200 in attendance.  He spoke of the accomplishments of the team and informed them of the need to continue their mission as Army Ambassadors to the public.  

“Today we orient our eyes toward the heavens and trust that God will continue to guard the Knights. We pray that God will continue to grant us wisdom and peace during this time”, he said.  

Soldiers prepare for the 21 Gun Salaute

Amidst encouragement from the Golden Knights Chaplain and comments from fellow teammates and friends, there were occasional tears and smiles.  

Donna Dixon, Public Affairs Chief for the Golden Knights said, “Things are going as well as they can be…it has been a hard week and a half." 

In groups of two and three, members of the audience and Golden Knights teammates, went forward to honor Master Sgt. Hood.  

Many attendees presented salutes and placed Airborne Badges (Jump Wings) at the base of the memorial.    

Funeral ceremonies were held on August 22, 2015 at Lakota West High School’s football stadium.  Master Sgt. Hood graduated from the high school in 2001.  

After completing high school, Hood joined the Army as a 13F Forward Observer. 

During his time in the Army, Master Sgt. Hood has been awarded two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.  

He served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism.  

He graduated from the Golden Knights Assessment and Selection Program and joined the U.S. Army Parachute Teams as a “Golden Knight’ in October 2014.  He began jumping in 2010 and has recorded more than 500 free fall jumps.  

In closing, Lt. Col. Weinrich recited the last line of the Golden Knights Creed. 

“The goal I pursue is simple, yet bears a responsibility I must discharge without reservation: when I have gained the respect, admiration, and gratitude of the American public and my teammates, then I have fulfilled my mission as a Golden Knight”, he said.  

82nd Airborne Division Chorus sings at Master Sgt. Hood Memorial

Soldier stands at attention during "Taps". 

Master Sgt. Corey Hood Memorial- Golden Knights Hangar, Pope Airfield

Golden Knights Teammates salute Master Sgt. Hood Memorial

 

Moments before Memorial for Master Sgt. Corey Keith Hood, Golden Knights' Hangar, Pope Airfield

Raleigh Recruiting Company (3J3) Future Soldier Training

Raleigh Recruiting Company, Future Soldier Dream Team: Claudia Parilla, Brianna Brunson-Kornegay, Chakelah Goode, Kara Lewis

Future Soldiers of Raleigh Recruiting Company: Justin Everette, David Clark, Marlon Davis

Recruiters from Raleigh Recruiting Company setting up Land Navigation Training for Future Soldiers

Future Soldiers receiving Land Navigation Training brief

Future Soldiers in line to determine their pace count for Land Navigation Training

Reserve Partnership Conference

Story and photo
by Ron Toland

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Major General, Luis R. Visot, Chief of Staff, United States Army Resere (pictured) visited the Raleigh Battalion's Reserve Partnership Conference, Aug. 13 and

spoke on the importance of the reserve mission and partner with fellow recruiters.

     "We are here today to underscore the value of partnership and connections, and to connect and recruit," said Viscot.

     His underlying message to attendees was to tap into the human and personal level of people, and get to know Soldiers as more than just 'doers' or robots, in order to meet today's challenges , he said.

     "It is important, in today's time, to meet the challenges and threats we face, which are not going away--ISIS, Korea, Russia--who are a threat to our great nation and the freedoms we share," said Viscot.

     "Attracting qualified men and women to support, protect and serve the nation..the rewards are incredible," he said.
     Viscot noted in is closing comments that he was honored and humbled to speak to the leaders today.

Soldier for Life

Mr. Lemuel "Lem" Thornton Jr., Chief, Strategic/Operational/War Plans, HQDA G-45/7, visits Heritage Elementary Middle Schools as part of the Army's Soldier For Life campaign, Aug. 12.

As part of the Army's Soldier For Life campaign various members of the Army staff travel about and hold speaking engagements across the Nation. 

Changes in Army evident in recruiting command

Sgt. 1st Class Twarog Center Leader for Goldboro SAC (2G)

Story and Photo by 

Shahron L. James

Public Affairs Specialist

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

As the Army opens up all jobs to female soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Desiree Twarog has had an experience implying some of the future changes.  

Sgt. 1^st Class Desiree Twarog has had a unique experience as a Recruiting Center Commander.  Being meritoriously promoted, she wore the rank of Staff Sgt. while leading Soldiers that outranked her and were from jobs that, until recently, only permitted males.  

“All of my soldiers are combat arms and were in jobs that were previously closed to women and had to take leadership from a woman of equal rank, but my Soldiers never looked at me differently,” she said.  

Sgt. 1^st Class Twarog has 10 years of active duty service and 2 years in the Army Reserves.  She has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Fordham University.  After graduation from Fordham she went on active duty in the United States Army as a 31B Military Police Officer. She is currently working on her Master’s in Business Administration from Post University.  

As Recruiting Commander, Sgt. 1^st Class Twarog has held her position for 3 ½ years and continues to serve as a 79R. 

“For a long time I was the only female center leader in the Raleigh Recruiting Battalion. I didn’t get treated any differently. I worked as hard as the other leaders and even though I was the lowest ranking, I have always been treated fairly and equally,” she said

When asked how the male Soldiers reacted to her rare situation she said, “My peers didn’t make me feel inferior because I was a staff sergeant. This command makes sure everything is based on performance and how well you lead.”

Sgt. 1^st Class Twarog explains that working with an all-male staff allowed her to break any preconceived notions or stigmas associated with being weak or inferior to her male counterparts. She stated that she was glad that many of the Soldier’s first encounter of female leadership was with a woman in the Army.  

“The highlight of my career has been working with Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs and being able to assist them in any way I can.  Recruiting is demanding, but I lead a troop of hard chargers,” she said.  

Sgt. 1^st Class Twarog says that her role in support of the NCOs under her command is to help them in their careers and to provide assistance for them in meeting recruiting goals. 

“Working with the NCOs and being able to help them with their careers is one of my top priorities. Recruiting can be stressful and I want to continue to help Soldiers advance. All of my NCOs do things that they are not getting credit for, like buying shoes for homeless children and other activities in the community. It is my duty to acknowledge them and to make them known anyway I can,” she said. 

I asked Sgt. 1^st Class Twarog what is the one thing she would like to say to females who are entering into jobs previously held by only men.  

“Thank you - good for you. I am sure they could give me some words of wisdom for going into something that has never been done. The Army is going through so many changes right now and that is awesome. I believe that allowing women into these jobs is probably the most positive and controversial aspect of the changes the Army is making,” she said.