Spellman named recipient of Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award

Capt. Shane Spellman, of Columbia, was recently named
the recipient of the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.

By Rachel Knight
Ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Capt. Shane Spellman, of Columbia, was recently named the recipient of the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award that recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which MacArthur stood - duty, honor, and country.

"Capt. Spellman is a dynamic rising star that has no limits," said Lt. Col. Sharon Martin, commander of the 175th Military Police Battalion in Columbia. "He is a dedicated, skilled and accomplished leader that can compete with my best majors."

Spellman was nominated by Martin for his continuously outstanding leadership abilities demonstrated while performing as the acting battalion administrative officer for the 175th with over 1,400 assigned Soldiers. When he was selected to fill the position, he answered the call with exceptional skill. He filled the position, which was above his rank, and managed to raise the standard of performance for the position receiving high marks with notable comments from the National Guard Bureaus Command Logistics Review Team inspection.

He also undertook the difficult task of flawlessly merging the companies of the 205th Military Police Battalion into the 175th Military Police Battalion resulting in the largest battalion in the state of Missouri. Spellman managed the deployments of three military police companies in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Additionally, he managed the overseas deployment training rotations of over 520 Soldiers to Haiti, law and order mission to Italy and Panama, and home station annual training, according to Martin.

"It's a great honor to be selected as the Missouri recipient," Spellman said. "I feel greatly honored to represent the Missouri National Guard in Washington D.C."

Spellman has been a member of the Armed Forces since 1992.

In 1996 as a noncommissioned officer, Spellman was the Distinguished Leadership Graduate of the Seventh Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Primary Leadership Development Course and won their General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.

Spellman is currently the commander of the 2175th Military Police Company. His vast military experience primarily as a routinely deployed active duty Special Forces noncommissioned officer for over 10 years, has already helped lead his company to great success by winning the 2010 Military Police Commander's Cup, winning all categories of the challenging three-day competition between all Military Police National Guard companies in the state of Missouri.

"His skill and dedication as company commander will most assuredly result in continued stellar performance from his company and prove him an invaluable asset to the battalion and the Army National Guard," Martin said.

Spellman is the father of four children under the age of seven and still finds time to work with Boy Scout Troop 221 as an event organizer. Spellman also contributes his time as a member of the Crossing Church, volunteers his time with local political candidates, and works with Homes for Troops.

Spellman will travel to Washington D.C. in May to receive his award and tour the Pentagon.

"Capt. Spellman is not perfect by any means; however his desire to do his best everyday and achieve excellence in everything he touches has led to many successes already as a junior officer. Therefore he depicts the ideals for which General MacArthur stood - duty, honor, country," Martin said.

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