CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – The 36th U.S. Army Chief of Staff visited Contingency Operating Base Basra Aug. 28.
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., former Multi-National Force – Iraq commander, greeted troops, awarded coins to Soldiers and was briefed on current operations in Multi-National Division – South.
Casey handed out coins to 15 Soldiers selected for their outstanding job performance. Some were selected for their hard work while others were selected for working above their pay grade.
“Sometimes you do a lot of work and feel like you’re not noticed for it, but that was definitely not the case this time,” said coin recipient Sgt. Andrew Kaczmarek, service support systems specialist, 305th Psychological Operations Company, from Toledo, Ohio.
Meeting the Chief of Staff of the Army is something few Soldiers have the chance to do and Kaczmarek appreciated the privilege.
“I was definitely very nervous, but it was a great honor,” he said.
The coin now has sentimental value for Kaczmarek, which he will share with future generations. “The coin means to me that I’ve done an outstanding job,” he said. “Basically it’s something to show off to my grandkids some day.”
