07/03/2025
An honorable recognition for NYC:
U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)commanding general, Lt. Gen. Johnny K. Davis, and Command Sgt. Major Shade Munday, command sergeant major, announced that U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion (NYCRB) takes its high annual Battalion honor as the Top Battalion in U.S. Army First Recruiting Brigade for Fiscal Year 2024! The Mighty Empire Battalion is changing lives and helping New Yorker’s follow their passion to serve in the U.S.Army with limitless possibilities!
On Friday, Command Sgt Major Shade Munday made an in person visit to New York City to present the good news and the coveted award to Lt. Col. John Rocky Rhodes, NYCRB commander and Command Sgt. Major Scott Laczynski, NYCRB command sergeant major. Joining was Battalion S3 operations Sgt. Major Roche, company leadership teams, recruiting non-commissioned officers and battalion staff.
During the visit, CSM Munday met with the NYCRB team to share his inspiring leadership insights and to reinforce the importance of teamwork, dedication and accountability. He encouraged the team to remain mission focused with good habits, to keep “crushing it” and inspire through professionalism with a “people first” mentality.
CSM Munday also recognized Recruiting Non-Commissioned Officers who accomplished exceptional and outstanding achievements in recruiting and in their professional Soldier careers. The “Glenn E. Morrell Order of Recruiting Excellence Award” which consists of a bronze medallion and a Recruiting ring, is USAREC’s ultimate achievement award for excellence, and was awarded to First Sgt. Morales, Master Sgt. Betanceslager, Master Sgt. Ramkalaswan, Master Sgt. Jones, Master Sgt. Funes, Sgt. First Class Funes, and Staff Sgt. Griffith. The “U.S. Army Recruiting Command Commendation for Outstanding Achievements in Recruiting” and “Recruiting ring” was awarded to First Sgt. Agbodjan, Master Sgt. Betances, Sgt. First Class Parsons, Sgt. First Class Zhang, Sgt. First Class Lewismota, Sgt. First Class Rivera, Staff Sgt. Schleslargerman, Staff Sgt. Delacore, Staff Sgt. Zhang, Staff Sgt. Sinord, Staff Sgt. Stapleton, Sgt Tapia and Sgt. Magee. Individual USAREC Awards were bestowed upon the Mighty Empire leadership team of Lt. Col. Rhodes and Command Sgt Major Laczynski.
The numerous USAREC FY24 awardee’s in the NYCRB are a testament to the members diligent efforts, teamwork, adhering to Army values, and the importance of collaborative community partnerships in tandem with a strong commitment to help New Yorkers be all they can be.

Thank you CSM Munday for your leadership and for taking time to recognize and to present the esteemed awards.
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