Sergeant Danny Smiřický enlisted in the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit on September 23, 2022. Starting as a Fireteam Member in Alpha Company, First Platoon, First Squad, he took over as Fireteam Leader in the same squad on April 15, 2023 and has been leading from the front ever since.

Sergeant Smiřický's dedication has always been outstanding. He is currently in two DMOS' on which he holds great responsabilities, first as a NCOIC of our Public Affairs Office and also as a Senior Recruiter in Recruiting and Retention Office. The SGT, over his career, has earned countless awards and badges, the most notorious being one Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Meritorious Service Medal, along with 4 of our 5 skill badges, Airborne, Ranger, Air Assault and Pathfinder. With a career background of excellence, the Sergeant is truly what any soldier must strive to be and achieve. His integrity, duty and selfless service reflect great credit upon himself and the 3rd Infantry Division Realism unit.

Due to Sergeant Smiřický’s remarkable service, demonstrated leadership potential, and outstanding achievements, he has been awarded with the Soldiers Medal and distinguished as the Soldier of the Quarter of Q1 2024. 

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am 22 year old College student studying Criminalistics and Criminology. In my free time except from gaming, i play milsim paintball and actively participate in some of Europes biggest paintball events, where hundreads of people fight against each other, supported by tanks and IFVs, using platoon sized tactics. I am also in to rock and metal music have couple posters around my room and a denim jacket with band patches. Concerts are some of the happiest places I ever go to.

Why did you join 3rdID and what keeps you here?

I joined because of SSG Ivanov, who at the point of joining knew for 6 years and I stayed here because of people like CPL Donnelly, SSG Ayers and 1LT Cooper to name a few.

Any favorite/funny/memorable moment throughout your whole time in the unit? 

I got a couple, for example when Major played phasmophobia, yeah the well known moment of Major being scared. And ingame during Crimson Sand we dealt with platoon masscass... Grigorov decided to go himself defuse nearby mines that caused said masscass and blew up himself.

Any advice to give to your fellow soldiers to help them in their careers here?

I say it every time I do NSO, every PVT that went through me will remember me saying it and that is Communication is Key. Everything in this unit can be dealt with as long as you communicate properly.

What army value is the most important to you and why? 

Definetly Integrity. A person who stays true to who they are even if people dont like them, rather than bending over for everyone so that they all like them. Thats what I value and consider as integrity, basically staying true to yourself.

What motivates you to keep pushing forward in the unit and do you have any goals for the future within the unit?  

Im motivated by the ability to help And my goal for the future in the unit... well I like to dream of becoming a 1SG. a simple dream, but I understand I have a long way to go.

Any valuable lessons you have learned while being in the unit?

Warrior Leadership Course was a major learning point for me, but also just standard radio procedures on ARCC and experience with Platoon net,  comms during time i was acting SL, which helped me for my paintball where I often act as RTO/machinegunner for my squad.