Chicago-Area Guardsman Promoted During Mission in Africa

By Sgt. Elisebet Freeburg, 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

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Just-promoted Staff Sgt. Jennifer Shookshakes hands with Regimental Sgt. Maj. Moses Anagli of the Ghanaian army during her promotion ceremony July 14 at Burma Camp, Accra, Ghana.

ACCRA, GHANA (07/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Ghanaian and U.S. servicemembers participated in a joint non-commissioned officer (NCO) promotion ceremony July 14 at Burma Camp, Accra, Ghana for Staff Sgt. Jennifer Shook of the Illinois Army National Guard.

The ceremony was just one example of the many times NCOs of both armies have worked together during MEDFLAG 11 since July 11.

MEDFLAG 11 is a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Ghana armed forces that consists of 10 days of collaborative training and sharing of medical expertise, as well as joint humanitarian civic assistance in local communities.

Most Illinois National Guardsmen are promoted at their unit's armory or a similar location. Few have the opportunity to be promoted overseas with troops from a partner army.

"I actually feel very privileged to have gotten promoted here," said Shook, a native of Lehighton, Penn., and an intelligence sergeant for the 405th Brigade Support Battalion in North Riverside, Ill. "I look forward to being a mentor and leader to junior (enlisted servicemembers), and I look forward to sharing ideas with the Ghanaian NCO corps."

In addition to the promotion, Command Sgt. Maj. Marcus Jackson of Chicago, the senior enlisted Soldier of the 405th Brigade Support Battalion in North Riverside, also presented military coins to three company sergeants major of the Ghanaian army. Military coins are small medallions usually carried by high-ranking servicemembers that are distributed to individuals for excellent performance.

Warrant Officer (2) Victor Awauah-Boateng, a communications officer and a company sergeant major in the Ghanaian army, was chosen to receive a coin in recognition of his role in an upcoming peacekeeping mission to the country of Côte d'Ivoire.

"The way we go about our (ceremonies) is very different," he said. "I'm very happy to be recognized."

Jackson said even though there are distinct differences between U.S. and Ghanaian armed forces he doesn't feel that they will affect the ability of troops to accomplish their missions.

"The Ghanaian Corps are great," said Jackson. "Both (the U.S. and Ghana) have differences, but together we're going to get the job done."