When BG Lanza returned to the room a few minutes later, LTC Ignacio Perez, the 314th PAOC Commander and CPIC Director, called the room to order, but BG Lanza instructed everyone to relax as he said a few things. 

What he said next is what every commander hopes to hear about his Soldiers.  BG Lanza spoke about the achievements of each of the five Soldiers in the front row — how they were indicative of the entire unit — which he called “high-performing.”  When he finished his comments, he told LTC Perez it was time to proceed.  With LTC Leela Dawson, former 314th PAOC Commander, at his side, each of the five Soldiers was called forward to receive their much-deserved promotion.

The follow pictures from the promotion ceremony were taken by SGT Kellena Leech, 314th PAOC.

Shortly before they entered the CPIC conference room, the five Soldiers posed for a picture with their current rank -- waiting for the promotion to the next higher one.

BG Stephen Lanza shares some comments with the Soldiers of the 314th PAOC shortly before the promotion ceremony.

While BG Lanza lists some of the achievements of each promotees, SFC Benari Poulten captures the moment on video (to be posted soon).

Before they begin to promote Soldiers, BG Lanza shakes hands with LTC Leela Dawson, former 314th PAOC Commander.

After CPT Joseph Thames was called forward, but before he was promoted, BG Lanza asked him to face the crowd and reminded him of the gravity of this step in his career as he became a field-grade officer.

BG Lanza removed the captain rank and replaced it with major.

Next to be promoted was SSG Paul Roberts, one of the newest arrivals into the units.

Newly-promoted SSG Roberts salutes BG Lanza before returning to the formation.

SSG Jeremy Fowler may not look like it on the outside, but he is very excited on the inside about his promotion (and that nice tax-free pay raise).

See, I told you he was happy!

SGT Bryan Tull got a "thump" for good luck as BG Lanza promoted him -- to make it stick.

SGT Tull and BG Lanza pose for the "grip and grin."

SGT Autumn Hope stands at attention while BG Lanza formally makes her an NCO.

BG Lanza shakes SGT Hope's hand while the remainder of the 314th PAOC look on.

BG Lanza asks everyone in the audience to join him in congratulating the Soldiers promoted today.

After the ceremony finished, it was time for some handshakes...

...and some hugs. Congratulations to all five of these fine "high-performing" Soldiers from the 314th PAOC.

What a week!  In all my years in the Army Reserve, I have never seen anything like this.  Am I talking about the dust storms or the 130 degree heat?  NO!  I am talking about the SIX promotions in the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center in the past 48 hours.  Yep, you read that right.

The first five Soldiers were recommended for promotion during a junior enlisted board held here in the International Zone on July 7.  The enlisted Soldiers recommended were:

SGT(P) Jeremy Fowler
SGT(P) Paul Roberts
SGT(P) Bryan Tull
SPC(P) Autumn Hope
SPC(P) Roshonda Thurston

We are hoping to be able to announce their official promotion dates soon, but until then, they will have the (P) behind their current rank. 

As if that were not enough, we received word this afternoon that one of our officers, CPT Joseph Thames, was also selected for promotion — to the rank of major — so we will start using CPT(P) for him.

LTC Ignacio Perez, the 314th PAOC commander, said it best — there is nothing more exciting for a commander than to be able to promote a Soldier….so he has six times the excitement coming up in the next few weeks. 

If you know any of the six, join us in congratulating them and wishing them well as leaders in the next highest rank.  More details and pictures will follow when we have the promotion ceremony for each of these great Soldiers who continue to set the standard here in Iraq.

Oh, and in case you aren’t keeping track (because we are), that makes 16 out of 30 Soldiers in the 314th PAOC that have been promoted since we mobilized back in Birmingham, Alabama, late last year, and 18 out of 30 in the past 12 months.