8/2/2019 SFC Malloy Profile

1/1 NCO JOURNAL

BY EXAMPLE

Sgt. 1st Class Meghan Malloy enlisted out of

Camano Island, Wash., in 2000. During a year spent in

the Army Reserve, she was working at an emergency

room on her second day of drill duty when the 9/11

attacks happened. The next day, she submitted her

packet to go active duty. Since then, shes deployed

three times to Iraq, served in the last MASH (Medical

Army Service Hospital) and currently serves as the

senior medical NCO for the 5th Engineer Battalion,

4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, at Fort Leonard

Wood, Mo.

Why did you join the Army?

My dad was a military historian. He worked with

a lot o veterans groups, telling their stories. I grew

up with a lot o survivors o the Bataan Death March

and Pearl Harbor. I grew up with a lot o respect or

veterans, and I love the history o the Army.

Why have you stayed in?

NCOs have played a signifcant part in my career.

The role o NCOs has defnitely changed the way Ive

looked at lie. Its aected the proessional demeanor

I have toward younger Soldiers.

How has Army training helped your career?

I fnd that the caliber o person in the Army is the

best that our society has to oer. I love how theres

always someone looking out or you; someone always

has your back. Ater my frst deployment, that really

solidifed it. There was always somebody watching out;

you never had to worry about being by yoursel.

What does it take to be a good NCO?

You take care o Soldiers and they will take care o

you thats the real key to being a good NCO in this

Army. I youre a squad leader, just be the very best

squad leader you can be. Work hard at what you do,

push yoursel and push your Soldiers. Recognize theSoldiers who have that little bit o spark you think you

can make into something better.

How do you set the example?

I try to be what I want them to be. I try to set my

standards high. The best NCOs Ive worked with

werent araid to get their hands dirty theyd fll

sand bags, bring chow on guard duty, come in to work

beore us and leave ater we were all long gone or the

night. I try to set that same example.

What role have NCOs played in your development

as a Soldier and NCO?

I made a ew mistakes as a younger Soldier, and

those NCOs stepped in and said, Hey, I see something

in you. You can be something better. They pushed me

along in my career, and they pushed me urther than I

ever thought Id be able to go. I wouldve gotten out a

long time ago i it hadnt been or them.

What changes would you like to see Armywide?

We need to get back to basics. Weve got an NCO

Education System that has drited more toward quan-

tity than quality. Were pushing out NCOs and its moreo a check-the-box system. With our operational tempo

slowing down, we should be able to get back to push-

ing out good leaders and good NCOs.

INTERVIEW BY JENNIFER MATTSON

Get back to basicsSgt. 1st Class Meghan Malloy helps ensureher Soldiers are medically ready to deploy

Sgt. 1st Class Meghan Malloy pauses to take a

photo with local children while on a mission in Iraqduring her deployment from 2005 to 2006 with the 2nd

Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.PHOTO COURTESY OF SGT. 1ST CLASS MEGHAN MALLOY