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Spc. Adam Taylor (left) a native of Sumner, Wash., and an
infantryman, gets his weapon inspected by Sgt. 1st Class Donald
Register, a native of Wilmington, N.C., and an infantry platoon
sergeant June 12, 2012 at Fort Irwin, Calif. Both soldiers are
assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker
Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and are currently
training at the National Training Center preparing for an upcoming
deployment later this year. Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Antwaun Parrish
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. (6/26/2012) – “Sgt. 1st Class Register, why is
the sky blue?” Register smiled as he remembered the all-so-familiar
infantry saying and quickly replied, “Because God loves the
infantry!”
Infantry has been a part of the Army since its
founding, fighting on the front lines in defense of our country. The
light blue hue, like the sky, is the color that represents this
historic branch.
Donald Register is of a medium-built
stature and wears his jet black hair in a medium cropped cut, speaks
to his subordinates with confidence as if leadership were his second
nature. The 12-year veteran is a platoon sergeant assigned to
Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker
Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
The Wilmington,
N.C., native charted his future years before even being eligible to
join the Army because of an influence very close to him. |
“My father served in the infantry during Desert Storm,”
he said proudly. “I have always believed that the infantry
instills discipline into its soldiers.”
Register has
three combat deployments and applies that experience to lead
his soldiers.
“It's a great feeling being able to
pass on what I have learned to my soldiers,” said Register.
“I am training future leaders of the Army, and I have to
lead them the best way that I know how.”
Spc. Adam
Taylor is a young and ambitious member of Register's platoon
who experiences the leadership that he provides first hand.
“He gives a lot to the team,” said Taylor. “He isn't
closed minded, he welcomes our ideas and input. He never
thinks that it's his way or the highway, and I appreciate
that.”
Not all leaders are the same, and each one has
their own leadership style. Register has learned from many
different leaders throughout his career).
“I try to
take good leadership traits from the best leaders and use
them as a tool to develop my leadership style. Register
said.
Taylor, who one day desires to be a leader
himself, feels that he learns something new from Register
everyday. Taylor explained that Register ensures information
and knowledge gets passed down to the lowest ranking member
of the team.
He makes it his duty to instill pride
and discipline in his soldiers. But in order to do so, he
has to know each man personally.
“First I have to
know any issues the soldier has that could hinder their
performance,” said Register. “Then we try to get the issues
under control so we can successfully execute the mission. If
the Soldier's morale is low, then their performance will be
as well.”
Register's unit is currently at the
National Training Center at Fort Irwin conducting realistic
scenario-based training in preparation for a deployment to
Afghanistan later this year.
While preparing to go
out on their next mission, Register, not yelling – but with
a stern voice – commands his soldiers to prepare their
equipment and directs his squad leaders to inspect their
subordinates. At his command, everyone scurried around like
a busy New York street to execute the command being issued.
“I want my team to take all training serious,” he
explained. “From my own experience I have to let them know
the good, bad and ugly sides of war. By telling them the
reality of war, it makes them take the training more
serious.”
Register feels that the training at NTC is
the best thing his team can receive before heading to
Afghanistan and he accepts all that comes along with it.
“I'm glad to be here doing this training,” said
Register. “Yes, we're making mistakes, but this is the place
to do it – before we deploy.”
As a platoon sergeant,
he is responsible for more than 20 soldiers and uses a tool
known to the Army as a leader's book to keep track of every
one of them. A leader's book is a listing of soldiers' data,
ranging from personal to career.
“While deployed,
the leader's books of my squad leaders and myself will
become even more important to the needs of the team,” said
Register.
Along with these books, there are three
things that he places at the top of his priorities for his
soldiers to be in good standing to perform their duties.
“Food, water and ammunition!” he stated. “They have to
be physically ready and I have to ensure they have enough
rounds to protect themselves and their battle buddies. As
long as we walk away knowing more than we came out here with
and learn from our mistakes we will be successful in
Afghanistan.”
Register seems ready to continue
leading his troops and ready to deploy with his team.
Taylor expressed that he respects and has confidence
that Register will lead him in the right direction in a
combat zone, and he will surely follow.
“He's a great
inspiration and role model!”
By Army Staff Sgt. Antwaun Parrish
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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