‘Ironhorse Strong’ Soldier refuses to ‘check the block’

COB SPEICHER - U.S. Forces can't afford to simply "check a block" in their ongoing mission to advise, train and assist ISF. When an IA bn cmdr requested that his troops be trained to sustain their tactical and technical competency, btry cmdr Capt. Brian Deiffenbach, looked across his ranks to find a good candidate for the task at hand.

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Based upon the recommendation of senior NCOs assigned to Btry A, Deiffenbach said he selected an NCO with a reputation for taking training to the next level. In preparation for his assignment, Hellen conducted research on the topic, searching online for different approaches to teaching the class. The NCO also reviewed after action reports from other units, and incorporated lessons learned into his training plan. Once Hellen completed planning, he began training the IA soldiers, employing a hands-on approach, to prepare the Iraqi units to conduct personnel and vehicle searches, and more important, continue the domino effect of a well-executed train-the-trainer style class. "He's a very good NCO," said 1st Sgt. Marvin Walters. "He has a reserved demeanor, and a professional attitude; we use him a lot to train." Walters said said Hellen knows how to motivate Soldiers, and teaches in a way that keeps the students involved, to make sure everyone is paying attention and absorbing the info. "Hellen puts in the time and effort to make sure the class is as informative and effective as possible," he said. "A direct reflection of his attention to detail and professionalism, Hellen set his Iraqi partners on a path to success," said Walters. Hellen’s commitment to the mission, and his exemplary attitude made him this week’s "Ironhorse Strong" Soldier.

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