CJTF-HOA Leaders Recognize Service Members during All Hands

CJTF-HOA’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, and CJTF-HOA’s Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Master Chief Karl Parsons, presented quarterly awards, thanked galley employees and praised members of the CJTF-HOA staff.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) leadership honored service members deployed in support of CJTF-HOA at an all-hands call and morale barbecue at Camp Lemonnier, October 20.

By Senior Airman Scott Jackson Oct 23, 2018

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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) leadership honored service members deployed in support of CJTF-HOA at an all-hands call and morale barbecue at Camp Lemonnier, Oct. 20.

During the event, CJTF-HOA’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, and CJTF-HOA’s Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Master Chief Karl Parsons, presented quarterly awards, thanked galley employees and praised members of the CJTF-HOA staff.

“Everyone here is an integral part of this organization,” said Craig. “We really appreciate all of your hard work.”

Dorie Miller Galley staff were awarded certificates of appreciation for their hard work and support of the many social functions and key leader engagements that have occurred on Camp Lemonnier.

“When we have these get-togethers or key leader engagements on Camp Lemonnier, there is a group of people that not only make sure all of us get fed, but that things are set up befitting a two-star headquarters in the Horn of Africa,” said Parsons.

Parsons recently returned from the 2018 Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference, held Oct. 16 - 19 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. U.S. Africa Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, command chief AFRICOM, as well as senior enlisted leaders from 25 African nations attended the conference with Parsons.

The main theme of the conference was the need to build readiness and partnerships through noncommissioned officer development throughout Africa, said Parsons.

“For the past 15 years, we have partnered with them [African countries] developing officers, but they have come to a realization that they cannot provide the professional force their countries need without a more capable noncommissioned officer corps,” said Parsons, before congratulating the NCOs in the crowd for their outstanding work to ensure these training missions were successful. “There are more than 140 military education institutions across the African continent that provide a combination of professional development opportunities offered to officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers.”

These training opportunities not only benefit our African partners, they also provide professional development of our own leaders, said Parsons, before recognizing three service members as examples of leadership and professionalism for the Quarter.

Spc. Emmett M. Ryan, a communications specialist at CJTF-HOA, was recognized as the Junior Service Member of the Quarter.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael F. Richards, an intelligence specialist at CJTF-HOA, was recognized as the Service Member of the Quarter.

Petty Officer 1st Class Kimberly A. Decker, an intelligence specialist at CJTF-HOA, was recognized as the Senior Service Member of the Quarter.

“The latest iteration of the service members of the quarter board was quite a bit different from the one before,” said Parsons. “It was a bit more strenuous, and there was more thought into how we were going to grade the individuals who came in. For those who went through it, it wasn't fun, I'm sure. You're all winners in my book.”

For more information on ASELC: https://www.africom.mil/media-room/article/31296/africom-hosts-conference-for-senior-enlisted-leaders-unveils-new-enlisted-development-strategy

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CJTF-HOA Leaders Recognize Service Members during All Hands

CJTF-HOA’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, and CJTF-HOA’s Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Master Chief Karl Parsons, presented quarterly awards, thanked galley employees and praised members of the CJTF-HOA staff.