Noncommissioned Officer Staff Ride

By Louis B. Wiseman

USMEPCOM Conducts Noncommissioned Officer Staff Ride

MILWAUKEE -- Noncommissioned officers from United States Military Entrance Processing Headquarters and the Chicago and Milwaukee Military Entrance Processing Stations conducted a staff ride at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center Jan. 18.

Selected participants presented briefings on historic military events and people. Area veteran mentors made presentations on their experiences in the military.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christian J. Carr, USMEPCOM senior enlisted advisor, Army 1st Sgt. Helder D. Depina, USMEPCOM Headquarters first sergeant, and Army Master Sgt. Shenecqua T. Mouzon-Smith planned the event.

"We wanted to bring NCOs from each of our services assigned to this area to do a staff ride," Carr said. "Staff rides are highly underutilized in the NCO world and it's foreign to the other services. We thought it would be a good venue to provide some history, education and team building for Milwaukee, Chicago and the Headquarters."

A staff ride is a historical study of a campaign or battle. They originated with the German army in the late 19th century.

The War Memorial Center is Wisconsin's most visible memorial to all who have served in the U.S. armed services. It features displays featuring historical events from the Civil War to the present day.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Victoria Adorno, Chicago MEPS operations NCOIC, explains the role the USS Milwaukee played in World War II. There have been five Navy ships named USS Milwaukee.

Navy Chief Petty Officer Benjamin T. Wilder, Milwaukee MEPS medical NCOIC, discusses the latest and current USS Milwaukee, a littoral combat ship built by Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Army Master Sgt. Richard D. Pina, USMEPCOM assistant inspector general, presents information about the Korean War.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Danhay K. Bailey, USMEPCOM assistant inspector general, discusses the Korean War.

Vietnam Army veteran Mike Malloy discusses the life and career of Milwaukee native Army Gen. Douglas McArthur.

Vietnam Army veteran George Banda speaks about his experience during the war. The photo on the top left is of Banda being presented the Purple Heart.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Young of the Human Resource Directorate (J-1) Military Personnel Section briefs on Wisconsin Marines who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff ride participants pose for a group photo.