Time spent with a True Hero

This will be one of my longest blog postings to date based upon the last few days that I’ve experienced as an Officer in the United States Army.

In a unique turn of events in life, I ended up in the company of heroes. In doing my part in learning and publishing on the civilian side, I stumbled upon a group of men who have given to this nation more than most. These warriors who continue to wear the flag and those that have proudly worn it came together under one roof and shared with me a snippet of their lives.

Under the pretense of the Defense industry coming together in the form of an exposition at the Annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) these men came to improve the lives of those who will serve for generations to come as they had.

This post is focused on my time spent with one very senior, salty, experienced, dedicated and humble ole Sergeants Major in the Army, who I am honored to know and now call friend. A true hero and patriot he took me under his wing if but for a brief time and showed me a tight group of men who have sacrificed most of their lives for us. Within their sacrifice is their continued dedication and drive to safeguard, protect, defend and take the fight to the enemies of the United States. The coming together of these men and women under one roof was for one purpose, to see what the Defense Industry has to offer to aid in our needs as soldiers.

To protect the soldiers at all levels from head to toe, and make them the most efficient fighter with force multiplying tools is their goal. The stories and memories exchanged from years of combat experience and decades of service is hard to believe but, believe it. These men have lost soldiers who have served under them, friends who they rode with on Main Supply Routes in Iraq and in once case a fallen son who’s Sergeant Major Father proudly wears the Gold Star on his lapel. 

They were dazzled by all of industry from flashing lights to flashy displays. However, some of the simplest booths present held the tools needed to keep the men and women of the US military safe. A non-descript display in a far corner of the imposing exhibit hall is where I found myself late in the day at the expo at the flank of my mentor. A young E-5 (Sergeant) was assisting the private company as they were the designer of the plate carrier which he has been sweating in for the last few months. And the feedback and discussion at that level is where the rubber met the road.

Sergeants Major are responsible for the soldiers under their command and in this case a much larger contingent of the Army. Nothing in this world can replace nearly 40 years of one mans experience and I was soaking it in. The plate carrier discussion is being pushed around a lot in the last few months, and it took my mentor to again show me that he truly was the best man for his job. While soldiers bear the brunt of carrying a heavy load in terms of body armor, with the added on protection of shoulder daps, groin protectors and throat protectors he made it very clear that the more the better. Having been on the receiving of his fare share of a couple dozen IED blasts (literally) who better to mentor a young Infantry Lieutenant and an equally as young Infantry Sergeant on the greater good.

In spending time with my mentor it became clear to me that who better to lead the Non Commissioned Corps and the Army than a man who has been serving as funny as it sounds for a decade longer than I have been alive.

Over beers late that night I witnessed the true love that soldiers have for one another when faced with the impossible and with the loss of life and sacrifice surrounding being a soldier in the US Army. It was my honor to have been in the presence of these men and warriors and for them I am eternally grateful.

For SSG Nathan J. Vacho