DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Marietta, Ga., Nov. 18, 2011 – Two Georgia Army Guardsmen are among the four Soldiers to receive the 2011 Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) Army Reserve Achievement Award today for outstanding performance at a ceremony held here in their honor.

Sgt. 1st Class Clifton C. Love and Spc. Christopher Powell, both with Rome’s 1160th Transportation Company, 348th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), and two Army Reservists from the Atlanta-based 335th Signal Command Theater were presented the award by Andre Jackson, the AJC’s editorial editor. The 348th BSB is part of Columbus’ 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, whose headquarters component is set to deploy to Afghanistan later this year.

Brigadier Gen. Joe Jarrard, Commanding General of the Georgia Army Guard, was on hand to congratulate the winners.  

“All our congratulations go to this year’s recipients – Guard and Reserve – for their selection to receive this prestigious honor,” Jarrard said. “To this year’s winners I say, continue to set the standard among those with whom you serve and for those whom you lead, and inspire them to even greater things.”

Love and Powell received this year’s award because of their outstanding proficiency in several categories, including conduct, attendance at drills and annual training, and leadership ability. 

Love, a maintenance supervisor who lives in Hinesville, Ga., is the platoon sergeant for the 1160th’s maintenance section. He has served 12 years as a Citizen-Soldier. His nomination came because of his commitment toward taking on new responsibilities, his dedication to leading from the front, and for encouraging his Soldiers to do the same. According to Love’s biography, he has served in several leadership positions, from squad leader, to platoon sergeant, to acting first sergeant – not only with the 1160th but also in other units to which he has been assigned.

“With the exception of my wife, Ashley Marie, there’s nothing more important to me than leading Soldiers,” Love said. “I’m grateful to those who chose me to receive this award, to those who mentored me along the way as I have grown as a Georgia Guardsmen, and I am even more proud to be standing here representing my unit.”

Powell is from Houston, and has been a Guardsman since May 2009. He is a heavy equipment truck operator with the 1160th. His selection was based on the command’s recognition of his support of his unit in its overall mission for the past two years, his continual attention to detail, and his wiliness to step up and make things happen when given a task.  According to Command Sgt. Major Ed Andrews, the 348th’s senior enlisted leader, Powell is a Soldier who “understands the value of training to standard, and guiding younger Soldiers toward accomplishing any mission successfully.”

“Receiving this award isn’t something I ever expected, and I feel privileged to have been chosen,” Powell said. “Wearing the uniform, serving as a Citizen-Soldier, too, is quite a privilege for me, so I aspire to be the best I can be as a Guardsman, and – hopefully – set a good example for others to follow.”

The annual AJC Award is divided into two categories: private to specialist, and sergeant to sergeant first class. To be selected, Soldiers must attend at least 95 percent of their scheduled drills, attend annual training, and be qualified in their particular military occupational skill or Air Force skill identifier. They must also qualify at sharpshooter or higher on their assigned weapon and have had no disciplinary actions taken against them during the nominating period.

“It’s always an honor to continue the AJC tradition of recognizing the outstanding men and women who serve our state and our nation,” Jackson said. “Our Guard and Reserve and their families sacrifice much in defending our freedom. It’s only right that we recognize their sacrifice and their commitment to duty.” 

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry

Photo by Sgt. Nerita H. Davis

 Public Affairs Office

Georgia Department of Defense