Army sergeant builds morale through art

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A servicemember from Task Force Protector is using his skills to add unit pride and espirit de corps to an office inside a refurbished shipping container.  The many talents of U.S. Army Sgt. Henry Harrell, a counterinsurgency non-commissioned Officer with Headquarters, 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 five.  I just started drawing one day and never stopped,” said Harrell about developing his skill.“I took ten art classes in high school and turned down a full art scholarship to come in the Army.”

Two shipping containers placed side-by-side in the Combined Joint Task Force- 82 Champion Main Compound are the offices of the Task Force Protector commander, deputy commander, command sergeant major and the counterinsurgency section. 

Wooden walls and doors inside the shipping 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 his work and asked Harrell if he would be willing to paint a design on his door.  Harrell agreed and, after receiving the necessary tools and paints from Garrity, went to work.

The military intelligence non-commissioned 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 U.S. Army Maj. Devon Blake, Harrell’s supervisor. “We’re excited he’s able to use his talents to contribute to the aesthetics of the command group.”

The door incorporates many elements of the 16th Military Police Brigade and the military police corps. 

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 HMMWV 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 Soldier, visitors to Task Force Protector command offices are greeted with artwork displaying pride servicemembers have in their unit, profession and mission.