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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (September 9, 2009) -
When the chance to train Soldiers in theater came up, two senior
noncommissioned officers jumped on the chance for one last
mission.
Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis W. Martinson, commandant, Third Army
NCO Academy, and Sgt. Maj. Bobby King, deputy commandant, Third
Army NCOA, both delayed retirement to do what they love.
Martinson and King have almost 60 years of combined experience
in the Army and both put off their retirement orders when Martinson
got a phone call from Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie, the highest
enlisted Soldier in the Army Reserves.
Caffie asked Martinson to stay in for while longer to take the
position of commandant for the first NCO Academy in theater.
"It's something that I talked about doing a few years ago with
my Soldiers," said Martinson.
Martinson then called King who was also preparing for
retirement.
"They called Sergeant Major Martinson and he told them he wanted
to bring me with him," said King.
The planning started in May and the academy stood up in the
beginning of July to become the first Department of the
Army-approved NCOA in theater, during the Year of the NCO.
"Soldiers come over here to train in the Warrior Leader Course
and get back in the field with a little better knowledge of
leadership," said King.
Martinson has served 11 years working in positions from
instructor to commandant of NCO Academies. King has served in
multiple leadership positions from instructor to platoon sergeant
to company first sergeant before becoming a deputy commandant of an
NCO Academy. He and Martinson have worked together for many years
at the Staff Sgt. Todd R. Cornell NCO Academy, Fort McCoy, Wis.
"They gave me the opportunity to come over here and train
Soldiers," said King. "I think it's a very important mission."
Both Soldiers agree that it takes hard work and a lot of
dedication to get to where they are today, but it has all been
worth it.
"I love the military," said King. "I like training Soldiers; I
like taking care of Soldiers and their Families."
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