Army tenant earns service-wide excellence award

Published Nov. 8, 2013
By 2nd Lt. Spencer Ferrebee
1st Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The Supply Support Activities Platoon of Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, was awarded the prestigious Department of the Army Supply Excellence Award for fiscal year 2013.

The Department of the Army Supply Excellence Award is given annually to the best and most qualified SSA in the entire Army.

The Foxtrot Company SSA platoon's accomplishments stood out above all others competing for the award. The most notable achievement was earning the United States Army Forces Command Supply Excellence Award for fiscal year 2012. The SSA installed a help desk and created a library containing pictures and national stock numbers to provide more accurate assistance for customers.

"I feel this is an excellent achievement for the Soldiers and I will continue to expect great things from them," said Sfc. Kerry Walker, Foxtrot Co. 1-44 ADA material control supervisor and SSA platoon sergeant.

It exceeded all performance standards for fiscal year 2013 set forth by higher commands including the Department of the Army. It has maintained the highest standards even while providing support for major battalion training events such as Table VII and VIII certification, deep and enhanced maintenance, a convoy live fire exercise, and a battalion mission readiness exercise all in preparation for deployment.

"I am proud of all the Soldiers in the SSA," remarked Lt. Col. Maurice Barnett, 1-44 ADA battalion commander. "They have done an outstanding job earning the Department of the Army Service Excellence Award."

The 1-44 ADA SSA receives, processes, ships and accounts for more than $30 million dollars' worth of supplies. The most important factor is the level of skilled noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers -- all of whom are subject matter experts.

"Some days we had to put in some long hours, work very hard, and help out the other sections to get the job done," said Pfc. Joseph Green, a Foxtrot Co. 1-44 ADA SSA storage worker. "It's a good feeling knowing that all of our hard work was recognized by the Department of the Army."

Despite the fact the SSA was working at 80 percent man power, they were still able to exceed all the Army standards.

When asked about winning the award, Sgt. Tramika Williams, Foxtrot Co. 1-44 ADA Turn-In and Stock Control NCO in charge said, "I was very proud of my Soldiers for accomplishing a feat every SSA across the country hopes to win."

The SSA has set a high standard for all to follow. The "Strike First" Battalion as well as the Department of the Army will continue to expect great things from Foxtrot Co. SSA.