Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Cohen | U.S. Army Sgt. William D. Cook, a parachute rigger with the 647th Quartermaster...... read more read more
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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Nine of Third Army/U.S. Army Central’s finest warriors faced off in a blazing desert arena at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May 20-22, determined to earn the title of the command’s best Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.
“It’s about the spirit of competition. It showcases some of our best soldiers and NCOs and helps us recognize those who go above and beyond,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Stephan Frennier, command sergeant major of Third Army/ARCENT.
Four noncommissioned officers and five soldiers, some traveling from Afghanistan and South Carolina, eagerly put their knowledge, physical endurance and military expertise on display for a chance to represent Third Army/ARCENT at the United States Forces Command competition in the fall.
The soldiers and NCOs jumped into the competition in full stride with an Army Physical Fitness Test, followed by a written exam and late night urban orienteering course.
“What made it challenging was the quick battle rhythm of events, with an early rise and ending up with a late event, that put a little extra stress on them,” said Frennier.
They then proved themselves at an early morning weapons qualification range and demonstrated their proficiency at warrior tasks and battle drills under the blistering desert sun.
The next day they put on their finest uniforms and marched to the last event where they faced senior NCOs in a board that tested their military knowledge and bearing.
“We kept the points a secret so no one really knew where they stood against the other. You always put stress on yourself when you don’t know, which forces you to give 100% at all times trying to beat your competitors,” said Frennier.
Tensions ran high, May 25, days after finishing the tight race as participants and their supporters filled the Chapel at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in anticipation to find out who would emerge victorious.
It wasn’t long before the moment was upon them. As the announcement came, Soldiers from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command erupted in loud cheers as both of their competitors, Sgt. William D. Cook and Spc. Jacob R. Valderrama, were deemed Third Army/ARCENT’s best NCO and soldier for 2013.
“It was a tough competition,” said Valderrama, who is a horizontal construction engineer with the 557th Engineer Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade. “I’m on a line platoon working every day, so I really don’t get much of a chance to do stuff like this. Now that I have, and have been recognized for it, I couldn’t be more proud of myself.”
Valderrama, from Morgan Hill, Calif., and Cook, a native of Bay City, Texas, both traveled from Afghanistan to represent the 1st TSC in the competition.
“To have my leadership give me the chance to get here is a testament to them and their faith in me,” said Valderrama whose photographic memory is what he says gave him the points to surpass the competitors and secure the win. “I knew I was going to be competing against the best so I knew I had to bring my best. I nailed it and hit a home run.”
Cook, a parachute rigger with the 647th Quartermaster Detachment, 1st Special Troops Battalion, said that a rough start with the APFT event is what helped motivate him to do better in the following events.
“I love to compete. Whether I win or lose, you are going to get my best effort at every event; I don’t take any of them off,” said Cook who added that whether it’s ping pong or an Army competition, he doesn’t come to lose.
It was a sweet success for both Cook and Valderrama, but short lived, as they now must prepare to reface their challenges at Fort Bragg while competing at FORSCOM with hopes of making it to the Department of the Army competition.
“I believe that FORSCOM better watch out, these two warriors are coming to get the hardware,” said Frennier.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2013 08:52 |
| Story ID: | 107821 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Hometown: | BAY CITY, TX, US |
| Hometown: | MORGAN HILL, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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