Company supply sergeant leads engineer support unit to national recognition

BRUNSWICK, MAINE (10/16/2022) (readMedia)-- On Friday, October 14, the 133rd Engineer Battalion's Forward Support Company (FSC) was presented with the national Supply Excellence Award (SEA) in the individual unit category.

The award is given each fiscal year by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff for superior performance improving combat readiness in four emphasized areas – mission accomplishment, effective resource management, innovative logistics management, and soldier quality of life.

Sgt. 1st Class David Chabe, outgoing supply sergeant for the Forward Support Company, received the Army Commendation Medal for his central role in the unit award.

"This national supply award is to recognize that the FSC has the best supply room and procedures of all company level units in the National Guard," said Col. Hamilton Richards during the presentation. "The supply sergeant is the lead agent in making this happen. Yet at the same time, this is a unit achievement. Command support of supply operations as well as administrative support, and rank-and-file support of supply operations all come into play."

"We're tremendously proud of Sgt. 1st Class Chabe and everyone that had a hand in this accomplishment," Adjutant General Douglas Farnham commented after the event. "Supply and logistics professionals play a pivotal role in any military organization's ability to be ready at a moment's notice. A trained force that is improperly equipped will not be combat-effective. Congratulations to the FSC and Sgt. 1st Class Chabe for setting such a great example."

"The accomplishment of this award is not a plaque for a display case," said Chabe. "It is in our organization coming together, shoulder to shoulder, and making decisions based on knowledge and experience. The efforts of the members of the Forward Support Company and the support of the 133rd Engineer Battalion were instrumental in bringing this award to Maine."

Since 2011, the Maine Army National Guard has produced 11 regional SEA winners, three national winners, one national Army runner up, and one national Joint runner up with all the Armed Services competing together.

"A lot of work went into this," said Col. Scott Lewis, Maine Army National Guard chief of staff, addressing the formation and audience. "Countless hours to prepare approximately 1,000 pages of supporting documentation, not to mention preparing for the inspection for the next level of competition. And so thank you, Shannon, and all of Sgt. 1st Class Chabe's family, for all the support you've given him, because that support translates to all of us."

Chabe is now stationed in Bangor with the 521st Troop Command. He and his wife, Shannon, reside in Auburn. The ceremony was also attended by Chabe's mother, Tina Swain, and aunt, Joan Crawford.

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Maine National Guard photos by Maj. Carl Lamb / Released

Posted Sunday October 16, 2022 at 11:50 am by Maine National Guard
Last Updated Sunday October 16, 2022 at 02:07 pm