FORT KNOX, Ky. –
One of the top Recruiters for U.S. Army Recruiting Command shares his approach to life, goals, and improving others through the many benefits of service in the U.S. Army.
Staff Sgt. Comlan Gnonnou, a recruiter with the Baltimore Recruiting Battalion lives by the initiative of improving others’ lives as he strives for success in his own life. Originally from Benin, a small country near Nigeria, he moved to the United States as many others have before him, for the hope of a better life.
Leaving Benin was not easy, as many of his friends and family still reside there, but one of the main reasons he joined the Army was to travel. With 30 days of paid leave a year, the Army provides him the opportunity to see the world. “I like to travel and spend time with my family.” Gnonnou said. Travel is my love, and I travel every time I get a chance.”
Initially while making the decision to serve, he looked at career paths that were similar in nature to what he had already gained experience in. “I liked supply because I was in the logistics field in Africa” Gnonnou said. “I wanted to do something in my field that I could do after my contract in the Army, so that pushed me to choose logistics.”
Gnonnou joined as a 92A Automatic Logistics Supply Technician and held this role for several years until he decided to become a recruiter. “I volunteered to be a Recruiter because I feel like I needed to share and show my story,” Gnonnou said. “I want to show everyone what the Army has done for me, and this is my way of giving back. Recruiting gives me the ability to help others achieve their dreams.”
“And that’s what keeps me pushing.”
He also enlisted in the Army for the many educational benefits. Gnonnou earned his bachelor’s degree in business management and encourages future Soldiers to do the same. “I can see the impact I am in their lives after they join, and I am proud of them when they achieve success,” Gnonnou said. “They come from nothing, then they are in college, and some even buy their own houses. Now I see the great in them and they see it in themselves, and that makes me happy,” he said.
Something that really stands out to him is leadership in the Army. “My team brings their “A” game where I cannot do it alone. We work together and that’s important,” he shared.
According to Gnonnou, choosing the right career path is key to finding oneself and being successful. His final word of thought for those who may be interested in serving, “I want to change people no matter where, no matter how,” Gnonnou said.
“All I want to do is give them the chance for their lives to change for the better, and with the U.S. Army, you can get there.”