Photo By Michael Armstrong | Sgt. Matthew Orozco, field artillery firefinder radar operator, B 26 Target...... read more read more
FORT BLISS, Texas — A group of noncommissioned officers and enlisted soldiers tested physical toughness and military knowledge, during a rigorous two-day event, to see who would hold the top spot for their brigade Nov. 5.
The competition pitted six NCOs and six enlisted soldiers in events that included a physical fitness test, written exam, 6-miles ruck march, stress fire, common task skills and a soldiers’ board presided by Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin Jacobs, command sergeant major, 212th Fires Brigade.
Sgt. Matthew Orozco, field artillery firefinder radar operator, B 26 Target Acquisition Battery, 212th Fires Brigade, 1st Armored Division and Spc. Cory Brotherton, multichannel transmission systems operator, Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 72nd Brigade Support Battalion, 212th Fires Brigade, 1st Armored Division, took top honors during the brigade’s top soldier competition.
Each soldier was recommended for the competition by their company command teams and prepared weeks in advance for the event.
“My first sergeant selected me,” said Orozco. “That really gave me a vote of confidence. He saw my leadership ability and showed that he trusts as a leader in his battery.”
“This competition was important for all who participated,” added Orozco. “It shows the brigade the overall potential within its ranks and helps develops soldiers for advancement in their careers.”
Brotherton felt the competition was important due to the fact it measures overall Soldier skills.
“Even if you don’t win,” Brotherton said. “It teaches us a lot; it tests our knowledge and puts us in situation where we can use what we learned. It makes you a better soldier by knowing what I am strong in as a Soldier and what needs improving.”
“We had 12 competitors to start with,” Jacobs stated. “Sgt. Orozco and Spc. Brotherton were the two that rose above their peers.”
Jacobs said the 212th Fires Brigade will continue to do this competition and encourages all his soldiers to participate.
“There are no losers,” Jacobs concluded. “There is only one winner … and that’s me. They all work for me, I have a great group of soldiers in this brigade and they are all winners.”
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2013 18:50 |
| Story ID: | 116627 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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