FORT KNOX, Ky –
Capt. Erick Erinna, Houston Medical Recruiting Company Commander, received the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in Washington, D.C., presented by the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Gen. Randy A. George, on Oct. 26.
The award recognizes 28 company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which Gen. MacArthur stood – duty, honor, and country. This award promotes and sustains competent junior officer leadership in the Army.
George encouraged the officers to live by those three ideals, “General MacArthur served 52 years in the Army. These awardees over here have been in for eight years or so, but by accepting this award, they’re committing to following his example.”
After joining the Army in 2010 as a human resource specialist, Erinna commissioned into the Army Medical Department in 2015 as a health service administrator.
“I am proud to say that I am third generation airborne serving behind my grandfather and father. I enjoyed the opportunity and experiences I had as child and wanted my family to experience the same,” Erinna said. “The Army gave me the structure and mentors to build a career for myself, but more importantly a positive work-life balance to raise my family.”
Erinna attributes his success to his family, “I thank my parents for always giving us the best. I dedicate this award to my oldest brother Hector Erinna who passed away in 2021. He was my biggest inspiration and mentor growing up.”