I Corps First Sergeant of the Year competition tests senior NCOs talents

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Sinthia Rosario | 1st Sgt. Tyler Arnold, first sergeant with C Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, navigates an obstacle as part of the I Corps First Sergeant of the Year competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., May 23. The competition was designed to test each individual on a variety of warrior skills and promote esprit de corps. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

05.31.2016

Story by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

As an Army leader, they lead by example and lead from the front, ensuring the troops are mentally and physically ready for combat at all times.
The first not only has to ensure he is combat ready, but is responsible for the readiness of all the company’s Soldiers. To see who is the best of the best, I Corps has brought forth the first sergeant of the year competition.
“We wanted to have some type of competition in where we name the best first sergeant of the year for the corps,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston, I Corps senior enlisted advisor. “This is kind of getting back at what the Forces Command commander would call the basics. If we’re going to go back to the basics, sometimes it’s having the first sergeants check their knowledge and check their skills, and it also sets a good example for the Soldiers.”
The first sergeants began their competition alongside troops who were competing for Noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the year. They participated in an Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons qualification, road march, an obstacle course and other warrior tasks.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Grinston is trying to establish a competition; which I believe, it breed’s excellence,” said 1st Sgt. Carl Moranski, first sergeant of the 66th Military Police Company, 42nd Military Police Brigade. “This competition gives me the opportunity to identify what I need to work on as a leader. It’s also important for my Soldiers to see that I’m out here still doing it. I think that motivates them to continue to push themselves physically and mentally.”
The Soldiers observed senior leaders push their limits during the competition.
“I think it’s great seeing the first sergeants go through the same stuff we’re going through, knowing that they’re also pushing themselves,” said Spc. Joshua Diaz, a military police officer with the 571st Military Police Company, 42nd Military Police Brigade. “It’s motivating.”
This competition is the first one of its kind held by I Corps to challenge first sergeants on basic warrior skills, showcase their skills and to create a friendly rivalry amongst each other.
“We do that so that the Soldiers can see that their first sergeant is able to compete and show that they’re leading from the front,” said Sgt. Maj. Jose R. Otero, I Corps provost marshal sergeant major. “That is why we’re doing it. To let the first sergeants know that look this is what your Soldiers are doing and now that you’re doing it, how does it feel. It puts them in their shoes so they can better plan when they do events.”

• Date Taken: 05.31.2016
• Date Posted: 05.31.2016 15:11
• Story ID: 199569
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US
• Hometown: KINGSBURG, CA, US
• Hometown: REEDSPORT, OR, US
• Hometown: TRACY, CA, US
• Hometown: VANCOUVER, WA, US