By Sgt. Andrew Greenwood
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Capt. Tobias Cukale, acting public affairs officer with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, collects content at a range in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, May 9, 2022. Cukale placed second at the U.S. Army Forces Command level in the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Competition ‘Unit Public Affairs Representative of the Year 2021’, and third at the U.S. Army level. (Photo by Photo by Spc. Ellison Schuman)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Capt. Tobias Cukale, a unit public affairs representative (UPAR) for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, has been a UPAR since 2018. He started as an armor officer and was selected to become a UPAR by his battalion executive officer.
“During my National Training Center rotation, I took personal photos for myself when I could,” Cukale said. “When I got back, I received an email from my battalion executive officer and brigade public affairs officer saying, ‘he’s your new UPAR,’ and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Cukale has worked through trial and error ever since he started as the battalion UPAR. He’s learned from others and has made himself better because of that. Others have taught him how to become more efficient at taking photos, videos and graphic design. “I think the three most important lessons I’ve learned that have helped me succeed as a UPAR are purpose first, learn from everyone and experiment,” he said.
In January 2022, Cukale, with the assistance of Master Sgt. Kimberly Johnson, and Lt. Col. Ireka Sanders, the 4th Inf. Div. public affairs officer, submitted to the 2021 Keith L. Ware Award for UPAR of the Year category. Cukale came in second place at the Forces Command level and competed at the U.S. Army level, where he placed third April 29, 2022. The knowledge obtained from being a UPAR and applying himself led to this. “It was a lot of luck and not thinking about it,” he said. “I never thought I wanted to be one of the best UPARs in the Army; I just wanted to do a good job.”
Although obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Computer graphics and digital design helped build a foundation for being a UPAR, it was his determination that helped him win third place as UPAR of the year.
“His ability to integrate and work with the division public affairs team is why he is extremely successful,” said Johnson, the public affairs NCO officer in charge of 4th Inf. Div. “He is an all-around knowledgeable and motivated leader.”
His persistence to succeed regardless of challenges that come his way is what a leader does.
“He had some medical barriers to overcome to compete, but he pushed through all of them and proved to himself and those watching what it is to be a leader and a strong UPAR,” said Johnson.
Sometimes it’s not just the job but the significance it has for others that helps push him forward to get the job done.
“One of the things I remember was getting a comment on one of the posts I’d made from a Soldier’s mom, saying, ‘Thank you for showing us what our Soldiers are doing,’ I don’t remember what the post was, but I remember that,” he said.
Today, he’s still serving in a major-billeted public affairs officer slot as a UPAR, with the support and blessing of his brigade commander and PAOs. All because years ago, an NCO told him, “Take lots of pictures,” Cukale said.