Better Late Than Never Joining Army by U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade
April 22, 2022
It’s not unheard of, but it’s rare ... to enlist in the military on
the tail end of your 30s ... as Staff Sgt. Stephen Berry, a
satellite network supervisor with Bravo Company, 53rd Signal
Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland, did a decade ago.

U.S. Army Corporal Stephen
Berry unfolds a flag as part of honor guard duties at Fort
Gordon, Georgia in 2017. Berry is now a staff sergeant and a
satellite network supervisor at Fort Meade, Maryland. (U.S.
Army photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Stephen Berry)
|
Hailing from Moore, Oklahoma, on the
southside of the Oklahoma City metroplex, Berry wanted to join the
military right out of high school, but his first wife, whom he
married while she was still in high school, frowned on the idea.
Instead, he worked various jobs and spent 10 years at FedEx where he
worked his way up from a driver to an operations manager.
At
37 years old, he wanted a change and this time around, his second
wife, along with his kids, supported his decision to join the
military. His first choice was the Air Force, but they refused him
because of his age. Then came a toss up between the Navy and Army,
but with a Navy recruiter pushing him toward the low-manned nuclear
submarine technician career field, and an Army recruiter who allowed
him to choose whatever job he wished, he went green, and enlisted as
a satellite communications maintainer (25S).
Next came basic
training at Fort Benning, Georgia, which in one's late 30s, can be a
bit challenging, mentally and physically, than say, for someone in
their late teens or early 20s. Moore graduated, although he admitted
he had to recover a bit longer from some of the many physical
activities that were thrown at him.
“I definitely felt my
age,” Berry said. “I think I did fine though and enjoyed it. Some of
the trainees looked to me for mentorship as I had a bit more life
experience. I was the oldest one around to include the drill
sergeants and a lot of the leadership, but I didn’t have any issues
with that.”
His first duty station was at Fort Polk,
Louisiana, with the 4rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain
Division. His next assignment took him to Kuwait for a year with the
56th Signal Company before he was stationed at the 67th Signal
Battalion at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He then deployed to a dozen or so
locations in the Middle East with the 67th Expeditionary Signal
Battalion as part of then U.S. Army Central’s Commander Lt. Gen.
Michael Garrett’s satellite communications team.
“It was a
great opportunity to be a part of a mission directly supporting a
three-star general,” Berry said of the deployment. “To have been
chosen for that was an honor, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Another honor and highlight of his career was serving on the
Army honor guard at Fort Gordon. Berry gained immense satisfaction
from the additional duty, which consisted of formal ceremonies and
funeral processions.
“It meant a lot to me to be the link
between the grieving families and the military, and to show proper
honors to deceased Soldiers,” Berry said of the honor guard. “I
really enjoyed wearing the dress uniform and representing the Army’s
very formal ceremonial side of things. I took a lot of pride in it.”
He also takes pride in working in a Wideband Satellite
Operations Communications Center at Fort Meade, where he has worked
for the last year-and-a-half. He works with a small team in ensuring
24-hour, 7-day a week, 365-day operation of satellite
communications. WSOC facilities monitor these assigned satellites,
terminals and users, while protecting wideband spectrum, and
maintaining the health and welfare of the satellites.
“It’s
amazing to think how many people around the world your work is
affecting when it comes to satellite communications,” Berry said.
“Our customers can always rest assured that they will be able to
access the information they need from their satellites due to our
mission.”
The mission will soon be absorbed into the U.S.
Space Force, and Berry is excited to be one of the organization’s
newest Guardians.
“I am excited to be a part of something
new,” Berry said. “I don’t see my job changing all that much, but it
will be interesting to see how the transition goes, and to be a part
of a brand new service branch solely dedicated to space.”
Minor editing without impacting facts.
Our Valiant Troops |
I Am The One |
Veterans |
Citizens Like Us
U.S. Army Gifts |
U.S. Army
| Army
National Guard |
U.S. Department
of Defense
|
|