U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shannon Politte, a native of New

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shannon Politte, a native of New Orleans and material management supervisor for Company A, 172nd Support Battalion, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Task Force Blackhawk, checks e-mail during a moments respite from the day’s hustle and bustle Oct. 5, at Forward Operating Base Sharana. Politte, as the noncommissioned officer in charge, is responsible for the helicopter landing zone and the 18 soldiers who work for her. Politte uses all her skills learned as a drill sergeant to motivate herself and her soldiers through the rush and the fast pace of a 24/7 operation.