Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, delivers the oath of reenlistment to 20 11th Airborne Division soldiers on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage on Friday, May 5, 2023. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, honored 11th Airborne Division soldiers Friday during a brief stop at the division’s headquarters on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
His stop in Alaska, the first of many during an Indo-Pacific tour, began at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks on Friday morning.
McConville, who will retire later this year after more than 42 years in the Army, said his time serving has been an incredible journey.
He honored selected service members with his commander coin, a uniquely personal and valuable commemorative medallion given as an award for exceptional work.
“I’m excited about their achievements,” he said of the 20 soldiers who reenlisted during his visit and the six who received commander’s coins for their achievements.
“All of it is special,” said Spc. Destiny Clark. “I get to honor my family and my country. That’s one for the books for sure,” she said about McConville’s visit and coin presentation.
Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, shakes the hand of 11th Airborne Division Specialist Destiny Clark after she completed the oath of reenlistment, performed by McConville during his visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, on Friday, May 5, 2023. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
An 11th Airborne Division soldier holds onto a commander’s coin, presented by Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, while she stands in formation after completing her oath of reenlistment. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
Friends, family and colleagues watch as Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, presents commander’s coins to 11th Airborne Division soldiers. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, delivers the oath of reenlistment to 20 11th Airborne Division soldiers. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
Staff Sergeant Joseph Feola speaks with Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, as McConville presents him with a commander’s coin. Feola represented the 11th Airborne Division at the annual CBRN Best Warrior Competition and won and was honored Friday. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army chief of staff, presents commander’s coins to 11th Airborne Division soldiers after they completed the oath of reenlistment. (Emily Mesner / ADN)
Emily Mesner is a multimedia journalist for the Anchorage Daily News. She previously worked for the National Park Service at Denali National Park and Preserve and the Western Arctic National Parklands in Kotzebue, at the Cordova Times and at the Jackson Citizen Patriot in Jackson, Michigan.
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