Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Sgt. Jason Trahan, a member of the Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry...... read more read more
By Spc. Allison Churchill
Fires Bde. PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Out of nearly 900 Soldiers deployed with the 4th Infantry Division's Fires Brigade, Spc. Daniel O'Dell, Company A, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, Fires Bde., took the honor of Top Soldier, and Sgt. Jason Trahan, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Fires Bde., grabbed the spot of Top Noncommissioned Officer during the brigade's Top Soldier/NCO Competition held here July 25-28.
Command Sgt. Maj. Gilbert Canuela, Fires Bde., announced the winners and Col. Allen Batschelet, commander, Fires Bde., presented them with Army Achievement Medals during an awards ceremony at the brigade headquarters July 29.
The grueling four-day competition pitted competitors in six key areas: physical fitness, operations and intelligence knowledge, weapons familiarization, escalation of force and rules of engagement, common Soldier tasks, and topped it off with a rigorous selection board chaired by Canuela, Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Taylor, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, and Sgt. Maj. Kevin Jones, operations sergeant major.
Soldiers had the chance to earn a total of 550 points, with the first five events each worth 100 points and 50 points for the board.
Canuela said the Top Soldier/NCO event was designed to test how well the competitors live and enforce the commander's priorities of protecting the force, maintaining equipment, leading and caring for their fellow Soldiers.
The Soldier and NCO, each of whom have previously served in harms way, credit their success to past experience.
"We have to be able to explain to people on our convoys what to do – especially if it's someone who doesn't go out of the wire often," said Trahan, a Beaumont, Texas, native, who also served in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division.
Trahan, who is currently attached to the brigade's personal security detachment, said he owed thanks to his team members, who helped him sharpen his skills by "grilling on scenarios" and studying with him until the wee hours of the morning. He wound up with the highest score of all in the weapons competition, nudging out both Soldiers and NCOs.
Trahan also spent the first six months of his deployment working in the Multi-National Division – Baghdad headquarters' rear operations center, where he monitored activity throughout MND-B's area of operations. He said his experience primed him for success in the operations and intelligence test.
Each unit in the Fires Bde. held their own competitions one week prior to the event to hand-pick those who would represent their commands at the brigade level. 1st Sgt. Kenneth Carmickle, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Fires Bde., said he was confident in selecting Trahan to be the top NCO.
"This Soldier has proved his ability over the past seven months by being the best in his duty position," said Carmickle, a Vernal, Utah, native.
O'Dell, a truck driver from Lacey, Wash., also possesses a deep understanding of Soldier skills from his particular position. He said his leadership believed he would represent them well.
"He has the intelligence and motivation to strive to be better," said 1st Sgt. Hubert Ervin, Co. A, 589th BSB.
O'Dell said the confidence Co. A's leaders had in him boosted his own.
"The (company commander) gave his vote of confidence. 'I thought, 'if he thinks I can do it, I guess I can,'" said O'Dell.
He said a previous deployment to Balad with 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, drilled in the importance of understanding escalation of force and convoy procedures into his head because he was outside the wire almost every day.
Before the competition, O'Dell said he used his personal time to study and sharpen his skills, which he thinks led to his success.
Both Trahan and O'Dell said the win is a highlight in their careers.
"I knew all the guys were at the top of their batteries; all the guys had a lot of knowledge," said Trahan. "This was a big accomplishment. It makes me look forward to the rest of my military career."
O'Dell, who was recently promoted to sergeant, said the timing was right for him.
"It's a good way to close out this part of my career," said O'Dell.
The seven other competitors, three Soldiers and four NCOs, were presented a brigade coin and a certificate of achievement. They were: Sgt. Brandon Burks, a mechanic from Fort Worth, Texas, representing Battery A, 26th Field Artillery; Sgt. Montrell Russell, a mechanic from Charleston, S.C., Company B, 589th BSB; Sgt.
Timothy Garner, a petroleum supply specialist from San Antonio, Co. A, 589th BSB; Cpl. Robert Tubbs, a signal maintenance noncommissioned officer-in-charge from Rochester, N.Y., 324th Network Support Company; Spc. Sean Nolen, a mechanic from Eufaula, Ala., Co. B, 589th BSB; Spc. Brett Graham, a member of PSD from Chino Hills, Calif., HHB; and Pfc. Abraham Elizondo, a KU-band operator from Brownsville, Texas, 324th NSC.
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2006 10:23 |
| Story ID: | 7396 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 296 |
| Downloads: | 68 |
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