3rd BCT, 4th ID takes titles for Soldier and NCO of the Quarter

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Kyle Ouimet, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment and a South Bend, Ind., native, demonstrates a weapons function check for a M2 .50-caliber machine gun, during an event for the Soldier of the Quarter competition June 18. (Photo by Sgt. Cody Harding, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ECHO, IRAQ

06.18.2010

Story by Spc. Chastity Boykin 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ECHO, Iraq—Every three months the 1st Infantry Division holds a Soldier of the Quarter Competition, determining the best Soldier and noncommissioned officers in the United States Division—South. This quarter the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, took home the title of Soldier and NCO of the Quarter.

Spc. Kyle Ouimet, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, and a South Bend, Ind., native earned the honor of Soldier of the Quarter.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Briggs, squad leader, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, and a Florence, Mont., native, earned the honor NCO of the Quarter.

The competition had one slight change to its usual format when the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, invited soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division to compete alongside U.S. forces. Events for the competition challenged all competitors both physically and technically, ranging from a physical fitness test and appearing before a board.

“It was awesome to see our Iraqi counterparts out there competing,” Briggs said. “To see that they could do the same warrior tasks and drills that the Americans were able to do on our [U.S. military] equipment was impressive.”

Rucksacks in tow, competitors started the day at 4:30 a.m. with an equipment inspection before heading to the physical training area. Soldiers and NCOs faced an alternative PT challenge, including 24-inch box jumps, pull ups, stair climbs with weights and a 180-pound litter drag.

The competitors then familiarized themselves with a map of the base and were required to find warrior task stations across Echo. Each station tested Soldiers, NCOs and Iraqis on weapons, including the M2 .50-caliber machine gun and the AK-47, which some soldiers were unfamiliar with.

The last point led them to the weapons range, where the competitors demonstrated weapons proficiency from standing and kneeling positions.

The next event tested the participants in exhibiting their knowledge of how to evaluate and treat a casualty followed by performing level-1 combatives.

The U.S. forces ended the day with a board in front various sergeants major from USD-S, answering a range of military questions, from Soldier care to weapons knowledge.

Staff Sgt. Briggs said that he had little time to prepare for the physical events and ranges.

“Other than sharpening up on board questions there was not a lot of time to prepare between missions,” Briggs said. “It was all stuff that I believe a well-rounded NCO should know.”

Briggs and Ouiment each received The Army Commendation Medal and a four-day pass to Qatar.

• Date Taken: 06.18.2010
• Date Posted: 07.02.2010 10:48
• Story ID: 52294
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ECHO, IQ