Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Hohman | First Lt. John-Eddie Moser, who serves as a platoon leader with the 72nd Military...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers with the 89th Military Police Brigade pushed themselves to the limit as they competed in the Griffin Soldier/Noncommissioned Officer/Officer of the Year Competition June 2-4, at Fort Hood, Texas.
The purpose of the competition was to identify the hardest working Soldier, NCO, and Officer from across the brigade. All of the competitors took part in local boards starting at the company level and advancing through their respected battalions.
“You want to have the best of the best during these competitions, because they will go on to represent this formation to the entire Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Cross, the command sergeant major for the 89th MP Bde.
Once they were recognized as one of the best in their battalion, the competitors had to compete and win one of the brigade‘s Soldier/NCO/Officer of the quarter boards.
Spc. Michael Jensen, a military policeman with 127th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, competed in nine other boards before having the opportunity the compete in this event.
“I was volun-told to compete in my first company board,” admitted Jensen. “I did really well, and kept advancing to the next level.”
Once Jensen got the competition bug nothing seemed to stop him. Each board proved to be more stressful and challenging as he continued to compete, but each win would motivate him to try harder.
“Wining was great,” Jensen said. “The rewards for the hard work I put into it helps to motivate me more.”
No matter how hard the competitors prepared for the event, Sgt. 1st Class Lee Lewis made sure they would be pushed to their limit over the next three days.
Lewis, who normally serves as the Plans Training NCO with Headquarters Headquarters Company, 89th MP Bde., was responsible for developing and planning the competition. Lewis set out to not only mirror the III Corps Soldier/NCO of the year competition, but to make the event more physically challenging.
“[The competitors] who competed in the event are already among the best in the brigade,” said Lewis. “The intent of making each event more difficult was to truly find the best of the best.”
Day 1 of the competition had the Soldiers complete a modified PT test. Unlike the standard Army Physical Fitness Test, this test began with the timed navigation through of an obstacle course to warm them up. The Push-ups were modified to a declined push-up, the sit-ups portion included sand bags, and the two-mile run was extended to three-miles that included substantial hills. All of the events were graded at the 18-21 age bracket.
The Soldiers were then given a quick break to eat before loading up in to a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, LMTV, and trekking through a four-kilometer land navigation course. The Soldiers then loaded back into the LMTV to head to a range and qualify with both their 9M and M4 weapons.
They were then offered a chance to enjoy the A/C at the brigade headquarters building as they took a written test covering Soldier tasks and skills. The Soldiers then ended the day around 11 p.m., after once again though the Texas wilderness during a four-kilometer night land navigation course.
The next day the competition continued bright and early with a combative tournament. The competitors then moved out to a grueling obstacle course, which included a climbing ropes, parallel bars, and a tire carry. Once they were able to catch their breath the competitors moved on to practical exercises on Soldier Skills to include first aide, treating a casualty, programming a radio, and weapons operations.
“The reason for making each event physically demanding was to make the technical and mental task harder,” said Lewis. “These are the Soldiers of the year, obviously they can do skill level one task, but can they do it when they are exhausted.”
Day 3 would truly push the Soldiers to their physical and mental limit by starting off with a 10-mile ruck march while wearing a 35 pound ruck sack. They then quickly showered and donned their Army Service Uniform before taking part in an extensive oral board led by the 89th MP Bde. Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Cross.
Even though each of the Griffin competitor pushed themselves to their physical and mental limits, in the end, there could only be one winner for each of the three categories, 1st Lt. Jacob Flynn, for Officer of the Year, Sgt. Jake Tuozzoli, for NCO of the Year, and Spc. Michael Jensen,
for Soldier of the Year.
“[All of the competitors] gave 110 percent, and their performance was excellent,” said Cross.
Tuozzoli, who serves as a military policeman with the 411th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, and Jensen will continue on to the next stage of competition and compete in the III Corps Soldier/NCO of the Year competition, before hopefully reaching the Department of the Army competition.
“I will definitely get back and hit the books as I prepare for the III Corps board,” said Jensen.
Unlike his Soldier and NCO counterparts, the brigade competition was the end of the line for Flynn, who serves as a special reaction team officer in charge with the 148th Military Police Detachment, 759th Military Police Battalion. III Corps does not hold an Officer of the Year Competition. He planned to use this experience to better relate to his Soldiers and NCOs as he continues through his career.
“[The competition] will definitely help me relate to what my Soldiers and NCOs have to go through,” said Flynn. “Before it was just, ‘Oh they are going to the board’, but I know now if they continue to progress I understand what preparation time they do need.”
Although not taking part in the next level of competition, Flynn will join Tuozzoli and Jensen as they are honored with the privilege of representing the 89th MP Bde. during the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2015 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 168579 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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