FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Jesse R. Wolfe, Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stands at attention while the distinguished leader award is read aloud during the Basic Leader Course graduation ceremony, class 19-006, at McMahon Auditorium April 26, 2019. (Photo by Spc. Rommel Forde)
By Spc. Rommel Forde
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers across the 4th Infantry Division gathered in the McMahon Auditorium April 26, 2019, to congratulate and acknowledge the graduates of Basic Leader Course (BLC), class 19-006.
Out of the 171 graduates, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, had 10 graduates make the commandants list, including the distinguished honor graduate and distinguished leadership award winners.
BLC is the first leadership course a Soldier takes to become an NCO. It trains eligible junior enlisted Soldiers on important leadership skills necessary to lead a small group of Soldiers. The monthlong course focuses on topics such as leadership; training management; map reading and land navigation; drill and ceremony; and warfighting.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Paul L. Fluharty, guest speaker, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gives the opening speech for the Basic Leader Course graduation ceremony, class 19-006, at McMahon Auditorium April 26, 2019. (Photo by Spc. Rommel Forde)
“I spent a lot of time studying doctrine on the subjects I knew we were going to be trained and tested on,” said Spc. Matthew C. Culver, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st SBCT. “I am extremely thankful for all of the great leadership I’ve had that molded me into the Soldier I am today. And, I can’t wait to train, develop and set up my Soldiers for success, the way my NCOs did for me.”
Culver was the course’s distinguished honor graduate after earning the highest academic percentage out of the 171 candidates. Joining him on the commandants list was another “Raider” Soldier, Spc. Jesse R. Wolfe, Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st SBCT, who earned the distinguished leader award. The distinguished leader award is bestowed to the candidate who demonstrates the highest leadership ability in the class. This is determined through a series of peer and cadre evaluations.
“I think what contributed to my success at BLC was the leadership in 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg. and our recent deployment to Afghanistan,” said Wolfe. “While deployed, I was put in a team leader role, which, thanks to my current leadership, I was ready for. Overall, BLC was a great experience, and I learned a lot while I was there. As I pin sergeant, I plan to put my Soldiers first and always do what is morally right.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The distinguish honor graduate recipient, Spc. Matthew C. Culver, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives a plaque for his achievements from Command Sgt. Maj. Paul L. Fluharty, guest speaker for the graduation and a Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., during the Basic Leader Course graduation ceremony, class 19-006, at McMahon Auditorium April 26, 2019. (Photo by Spc. Rommel Forde)
The success of these Raiders was noticed at multiple echelons, as they were congratulated by their peers, immediate command and Col. Monté L. Rone, commander, 1st SBCT. “We could not be more proud of Spc. Culver and Spc. Wolfe for graduating the Basic Leader Course as distinguished honor graduates.”