Sailor Receives Battlefield Promotion For Heroic Actions Under Fire

By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins
Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class (ABF3) Robert Wagner, assigned to Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) force protection, was awarded a combat action ribbon and promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class during a ceremony Feb. 5 at Forward Operating Base Kalagush.

Wagner, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., earned the promotion through the Combat Meritorious Advancement Program (CMAP) in recognition for his heroic actions in early Nov. 2009 which helped repel an enemy attack on an observation post in Nuristan Province. While standing guard at an entry control point, Wagner quickly responded to the enemy attack and fired 800 rounds of M-240B ammunition.

The CMAP is a promotion program that promotes Sailors who have served in combat during Operation Iraqi or Enduring Freedom.

“The CMAP is a very positive, good thing for Sailors who have gone way beyond what is expected, and it allows us to recognize their good overall standings,” said Cmdr. Rodney Ottinger, the U.S. Navy PRT executive officer.

Wagner said he was surprised when he found out that he would be promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class.

“I’m very excited about the promotion,” said Wagner, who enlisted in the Navy in Oct. 2006. “It’s weird because I’ve waited a long time for it. It kind of doesn’t even feel like it happened.”

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class (ABF3) Robert Wagner, left, poses for a photo with Cmdr. Russell McCormack, commander, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team, during an awards and promotion ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Feb. 5. Wagner was awarded a combat action ribbon and promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class through the Combat Meritorious Advancement Program in recognition of his heroic actions in early Nov. 2009 which helped to repel an attack on an observation post (OP) in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. While standing guard at an entry control point, Wagner quickly responded to the attack and returned fire with 800 rounds using an M-240B Machine Gun. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)