Fort Knox, Ky. –
A U.S. Army Recruiting and Retention College instructor made history last month when he became the first at the college to earn the elite Master Army Instructor Badge during the first-ever Master Instructor Selection Board here.
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Powell is one of only 34 enlisted instructors since 2015 to have received this award, which is the final badge in the Faculty Development Recognition Program.
“My hope is to inspire future RRC instructors to excel in their teachings and pursue the Master Army Instructor Badge as well,” Powell said. “I hope to be the first in a line of many Master Army Instructor Badge holders at the RRC.”
Powell previously completed the three required levels of recognition that would ultimately allow him to wear the Master Army Instructor Badge.
The first of the three levels is the Basic Instruction Recognition where Soldiers can earn the Basic Army Instructor Badge by demonstrating the ability to facilitate and instruct others in different learning environments.
The second level is the Senior Instruction Recognition where the Senior Army Instructor Badge is earned through showing the ability to not only facilitate and instruct but redesign lessons to coincide with updates on information.
Lastly, the Master Instruction Recognition level will earn the Soldier the rarely given, Master Army Instructor Badge. Instructors at this level are able to design lesson plans and make recommended changes and updates based off evidence-based research at level that reflects an in-depth understanding beyond the previous two instructor levels.
“To attain the MAIB, Powell endured the rigors of attaining all three badges and expertly balanced the requirements of teaching for three years, graduating three Army educational developmental courses, receiving eight high-level evaluations, evaluating and observing 11 certified instructors, and developing an approved a lesson plan,” said Zenon Zacharyj, who is the chief of Faculty and Staff Development of the college. “Finally, he was recommended by the Master Instructor Selection Board members comprised of the Army’s top educators including another rarity: another MAIB certified instructor.”
To commemorate Powell’s historic achievement, Zacharyj hosted a surprise ceremony at the college.
Powell said he was humbled by the honor and recognition. “I'm just extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had to teach with these individuals and humbled by this experience.”