Story by Lanie Guinn and Madelyn Guinn
FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Samantha Roden’s promotion ceremony was performed by her brother, 2nd Lt. Joshua Roden in Fort Knox, Ky., June 1, 2023. Staff Sgt. Roden has been a military working dog handler for five years and a part of the 905th Military Police Detachment. During her promotion ceremony, Staff Sgt. Roden conducted demonstrations with her military working dog named Sgt. 1st Class Disco.
Capt. Kyle Hinzman, company commander for 34th Military Police Detachment underneath Cadet Command and 905th MP Detachment, had more than enough great things to say about Staff Sgt. Roden.
“She’s a phenomenal Soldier. She’s a phenomenal NCO. She came into our organization, and she’s done so much for us, for the garrison, and for the Army,” Hinzman said. “She deployed to Egypt with her military working dog, Disco, where she was doing explosive detection missions there as part of Task Force Sinai. She has filled a lot of high-profile assignments and missions.”
Her parents, Arabella and retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Leonard Roden, attended the ceremony. They both agreed that Staff Sgt. Roden would be the least likely of their kids to join the military since she was the most “girly” of the three. However, Arabella admitted that she was feeling overwhelmed that day.
“This was very unexpected because he just got the commission, she just got the promotion, and he’s doing her reenlistment. It’s just a lot,” said Arabella.
With the demonstration of the proper K9 take-down being done on 2nd Lt. Roden, and the parents were not worried about their son being put into the K9 bite suit.
“They’re full professionals here. This is their job, they do this 24/7, and they wouldn’t be here if they didn’t love this job,” said retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Roden.
Staff Sgt. Roden will be leaving Fort Knox to be assigned to a unit in Belgium within the next month. She is grateful for the opportunities that the Army has given her and plans to continue developing herself as a Soldier and focus more on college and her overall health.
“I feel like the Army paved a path for me. I think that everyone should try it out,” said Staff Sgt. Roden.
