Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Ringold | Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Greening, 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, inspects Spc....... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas — Noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers from the 11th Signal Brigade competed in the Soldier and NCO of the Quarter competition March 24-25 here.
Participants included Soldiers from the 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas, 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion from Fort Huachuca, Arizona and Soldiers from 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion stationed here.
The Soldiers competed in a multi-day competition beginning with range qualifications, weapon disassembly and assembly, urban land navigation with Warrior Tasks and Drills stations at each location and a written exam on the first day.
Early the next morning, the Soldiers each took an Army Physical Fitness Test, followed by a formal board in their Army Service Uniform later that morning.
This is the first attempt at a multi-event competition for 11th Sig. Bde. Usually, the Soldiers compete in a board, and the winner is decided from the results.
This quarter, Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice A. Rambert, 11th Sig. Bde., wanted to go with a different approach.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Rambert wanted our Soldiers to be better prepared for the annual III Corps Best Warrior competition,” said Master Sgt. Pedro G. Gonzalez, 11th Sig. Bde.
The new format projects the total Soldier concept and mirrors the III Corps competition.
“This will benefit all Soldiers within the brigade when the NCO and Soldier of the year winners compete at the III Corps Best Warrior competition,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Barnett, 86th ESB. “They will have a better understanding of how bigger competitions are conducted, and also test their physical and mental toughness.”
The competitors were not accustomed to the addition of the other events but like true Soldiers, they adapted and made the most of the opportunity.
“I wasn't as confident because I really didn't know what to expect,” said Sgt. Jose Hamilton, 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion. “As it progressed, I realized it was not as bad as I thought.”
Hamilton, who ultimately won NCO of the Quarter, stayed calmed and relied on training he has received in his three years in the Army to excel in the competition and had some fun with the experience.
“I enjoyed the urban orienteering and the different Warrior task and battle drills that were set at each point."
With Hamilton earning bragging rights for his battalion taking the honor on the NCO side, it seemed only right for Spc. Jacqulyn R. Stark, 86th ESB, to also win for Soldier of the Quarter.
"I was proud to earn Soldier of the Quarter and to represent my battalion in a good way," said Stark.
With four different units represented during the competition, it is a credit to the 86th ESB that both winners came from their battalion.
“I feel extremely honored that my Soldiers represented themselves, the battalion and the brigade so well,” said Barnett. “I am also proud of them accomplishing what they have their first time experiencing the new competition format.”
The trial run went well but that will not mean there will not be more things incorporated in the next competition for the brigade.
This was the first time and it went better than expected, said Gonzalez. Next time, the competition will be stepped up another notch or two.
For Hamilton, even though he won, he continues to think ahead to his next opportunity.
“Overall, it was a good experience, but I do think I could have done better,” said Hamilton. “There's always room to improve and that is what I intend on doing.”
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2015 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 159302 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Signalers compete for Soldier, NCO of the Quarter, by SFC Kelvin Ringold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT