Soldier’s talent showcases unit pride
by Capt. Thomas Cieslak
16th MP Bde. PAO

	photo by Pfc. Garett Hernandez/16th MP Bde. PAO The door to Col. John F. Garrity’s office, painted by Sgt. Henry Harrell, a counter insurgency noncommissioned officer deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Military Police Brigade.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN — A servicemember of Task Force Protector is using his skills to add unit pride and esprit de corps to an office located inside a refurbished shipping container. 

The many talents of Sgt. Henry Harrell, a counter insurgency noncommissioned officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, are evident on the office door of Col. John F. Garrity, the Task Force Protector commander.

“I have been working with art in general since I was 5. I just started drawing one day and never stopped,” said Harrell about developing his skill. “I took 10 art classes in high school and turned down a full art scholarship to come in the Army.”

Two containers placed side by side in the Combined Joint Task Force 82 Joint Operations Compound accommodate the offices of the Task Force Protector commander, the Task Force Protector deputy commander, Task Force Protector command sergeant major and the task force’s counter insurgency section. 

Wooden walls and doors inside the containers were painted white years ago and remained plain until Garrity noticed Harrell’s talents and eye for color.

Harrell was sketching on a pad one day when Garrity saw one of his works and asked Harrell if he would be willing to paint a design on his door. Harrell agreed. After receiving the necessary tools and paints from Garrity, he went to work, adding color to the bland office space.

The military intelligence noncommissioned officer worked during his off-duty time to complete the door, arriving early and leaving late to complete the task. He proposed a design to Garrity, who approved it, and went to work with pencils to complete a rough drawing on the door. Permanent marker was next to finalize the design on the door. Harrell then followed up with acrylic paints to put color to the design and shading to add depth.

“It’s phenomenal, he’s very talented,” said Maj. Devon Blake, Harrell’s supervisor, when asked about his skills. “We’re excited he’s able to use his talents to contribute to the aesthetics of the command group.”

The door, pictured on the far left, incorporates many elements of the 16th MP Bde. and the Military Police Corps. 

“Protector 6” is the call sign of the Brigade Commander, Col. John F. Garrity. Below the banner is the rank of the brigade commander, Colonel, with a wartime orientation of the eagle facing the arrows.

To the left of the Eagle is the Military Police Distinctive Insignia and on the opposite side is the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 16th Military Police Brigade.

An aircraft with paratroopers jumping from it placed behind the design symbolizes the brigade’s airborne status and preparedness to conduct airborne operations. An Armored Security Vehicle and an up-armored Humvee are below the paratroopers, depicting the nature of combat operations conducted by Military Police paratroopers.

The foundation of the design includes the Brigade’s motto: “One of A Kind” and the brigade commander’s philosophy “Be a Professional,” all above an image of the American Flag.

Thanks to the talents and hard work of a Harrell, visitors to the Task Force Protector commander’s office are now greeted with artwork which displays the pride servicemembers have in their unit, their profession and their mission.