I Still Work for You: A Leader’s Farewell
Staff Sergeant Boston Leo Thomas Hanson

Sadly, I am subject to separation from military service in accordance with Executive Order 14183, Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.
 
I enlisted in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer (MP) at 17 years old in 2010 in the delayed entry program. I shipped out to training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in July 2011, where I completed 21 weeks of instruction.

My first duty station was with the 142nd Military Police Company in Yongsan, South Korea, where I served for 12 months as a gunner and driver, and performed law enforcement patrol duties.

I was then reassigned to the 511th Military Police Company at Fort Drum, New York, as a driver. I deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 for nine months, serving as both a driver and team leader. Upon return, I attended the Basic Leader Course, graduating on the Commandant’s List (top 10%) and ranking #6 academically in my class. I was then reassigned to the 563rd Military Police Company, where I served as a team leader from March 2015 to 2016.

I reenlisted in 2015 for reassignment to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where I served five months with the 21st MP Company (Airborne) and one year with the 65th MP Company (Airborne) as a team leader. During this time, I completed Airborne School, became radar certified, conducted numerous law enforcement patrols and field exercises, and spent six months attached to Joint Special Operations Command. I reenlisted again in 2017 to remain at Fort Bragg and was selected by the Army to become a Drill Sergeant.

I attended the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, where I graduated on the Commandant’s List, ranked #3 academically, and earned the Iron Drill Sergeant Award for excellence in physical fitness.

I was then assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as a Drill Sergeant and Training Room NCO with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, from November 2017 to December 2019. I completed eight training cycles and mentored approximately 1,000 Soldiers. This was also when I came out as transgender and began my transition.

While stationed at Fort Jackson, I completed the Advanced Leader Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, and Equal Opportunity Leader Course. Due to COVID-19, I remained at Fort Jackson for an additional six months, during which I worked at the COVID-19 recovery barracks for trainees as a shift NCOIC, alongside some of the best people I’ve had the privilege to serve with.

In September 2020, I was reassigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, with the 58th MP Company, where I served as a squad leader responsible for training and caring for a team of Soldiers until May 2022. During this time, I completed the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Foundation Course, became a nationally credentialed Victim Advocate, supervised law enforcement patrols as a Patrol Supervisor and Sergeant of the Guard, led multiple field exercises, served as acting platoon sergeant when needed, and led a successful critical site security mission.

In May 2022, I joined the 728th MP Battalion’s S-2 intelligence section as the NCOIC and vulnerability assessment NCO, while continuing my additional duty as a Victim Advocate. In November 2022, I reenlisted indefinitely, committing myself to at least 20 years of military service.

In October 2023, I was reassigned to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, where I currently serve as an Observer Controller/Trainer. In this role, I work with MP units to observe, evaluate, and support their efforts to meet mission training requirements and certifications. I completed the Senior Leader Course, graduating with Superior Academic Achievement and the Distinguished Leadership Award, as well as the Conventional Security School, Basic Anti-Terrorism Officer Course, and Battle Staff NCO Course. I was scheduled to attend the MP Investigator Course in September, though that may no longer happen.

Over the past 14 years, I have served with dedication and honor in the United States Army. I have received numerous awards and commendations and deployed to Afghanistan in support of two Global War on Terrorism campaigns.

If I’ve ever had the privilege to serve under, beside, or lead you, or to train you as a Drill Sergeant, please know it has been my absolute honor.

And for those I’ve led or trained, never forget: you never worked for me. I worked for you. Without you, there would have been no leadership role for me to hold.
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If anyone ever needs anything, whether I’m in the military or not, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For my trainees and troops: once my trainee or troop, always my trainee or troop. I still work for you!

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