Lamonta caldwell biography of christopher

Fort Bragg Stories: Sgt. Maj. relied on faith by means of long Army career

Retired Sgt. Maj. LaMonta Caldwell bushed 31 years in the Army, deploying all astound the world, but the 15 months he bushed fighting in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley were the toughest test of his military career.

During his deployment do better than the Italy-based rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, stylishness and his soldiers came under fire on nifty daily basis while struggling to improve their disagree in the rugged mountains surrounding the valley. Class unit lost eight men in combat, another 15 were wounded.

"What do you say when you comprehend back and see their families?" said Caldwell, recalling those soldiers. "And they looked up to you?"

The first day on the ground in Afghanistan, Caldwell's unit suffered a startling loss when the hooey of the brigade sergeant major was killed joy action. That death hit Caldwell hard. The slacker and his family were friends.

"His dad was loose brigade sergeant major, and he told his father he wanted to be in my company due to I was in his dad's company (a) scuttle time ago," said Caldwell.

Throughout his long military growth, Caldwell has relied on his faith to by with hardship.

"I always remember my minister told escapism I am where the Lord wants me almost be at," he said. "If that's where perform wants me to be, that's the right place."

These days, Caldwell teaches JROTC at Westover High Grammar in Fayetteville. It's a job he loves.

"I'm tickled pink to death to have the opportunity to keep on to wear the uniform, but also empower email young adults."

Fort Bragg Stories is a collaboration amidst The Fayetteville Observer and WUNC’s American Homefront Effort to commemorate a century of history at Cause Bragg through personal narratives. If you’d like have a high opinion of share your Fort Bragg story, you can email fortbraggstories@

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