Chad Ashe

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 9, 2021) — Sgt. 1st Class John Reinke, noncommissioned officer in charge of radiology at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, had an unexpected opportunity come up for his promotion April 1.

An important drill sergeant in his life 16 years ago during Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Okla., is also now stationed here and was available to assist with the ceremony: Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena.

Reinke, from Frankfort, Ind., said he recognized his former drill sergeant last June when he saw Delapena’s command photo.

“He is the epitome of a great NCO and leader,” Reinke said. “He will always be remembered during the rest of my military service.”

In 2005, Delapena was a newly promoted sergeant first class and a drill sergeant.

“I was then Pvt. Reinke’s drill sergeant,” Delapena remembered. “For me to be here today is an honor. I’m humbled to continue to serve everybody on Fort Leonard Wood.”

Reinke said serving as a noncommissioned officer is about the health and well-being of the team.

“I have learned many things as an NCO,” Reinke said. “Servant leadership and being an empathic leader helps define you as a leader and a mentor to many people, Soldiers and civilian staff alike.”

Delapena, who read the charge of the noncommissioned officer at the ceremony, said he received some great advice from a mentor — to use the rank for good.

He explained senior noncommissioned officers have been in the service long enough to have built a network and resources to help people.

“You’re there to serve,” he said. “I serve everyone as your sergeant major. At the end of the day, we should be working together to make the installation better for our Soldiers and to maintain standards and discipline.”

A common lesson Delapena teaches here is you never know the impact you will have on the lives and careers of others.

“That’s what Fort Leonard Wood is,” Delapena said. “The ability to (affect) so much of what you’ll never know or see.”

“I’m proud of you,” Delapena said to Reinke. “I’m proud to be on the same post as you again. You’re a testament to me today that I did something right.”

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena (right) reads the charge of the noncommissioned officer to newly promoted Sgt. 1st Class John Reinke, noncommissioned officer in charge of radiology at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, at his promotion ceremony April 1. Delapena was Reinke’s drill sergeant 16 years ago at Fort Sill, Okla. (Photo by Chad Ashe)

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission