Photo By Staff Sgt. Parker Dubois | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mathew Johnson, Charlie Company, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th...... read more read more
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 128th Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis participated in a week-long NCO and Advanced Individual Training Platoon Sergeant of the Year Competition, March 6 through March 9, 2017.
The competition was designed to test different skills that are expected of every Soldier in the U.S. Army, regardless of their rank or profession.
Throughout the competition, Soldiers were tested in various ways.
They completed a 12-mile road march, fitness tests, written exams and performed close-quarter combat in a simulated wartime environment, which kept competitors mentally and physically challenged.
“This competition tests for a leader, an NCO who Soldiers will look to downrange or in garrison, for motivation to push through any obstacle in their way,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Randolph Allen III, Charlie Company, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade instructor and obstacle course NCO in charge. “Soldiers are most likely to follow an NCO who is able to maneuver through obstacles and push their way through, regardless of the situation.”
In both battlefield scenarios and in the classroom, competitors were graded based on their technique, teamwork and professionalism throughout the competition.
“Being in aviation, we don’t get to do a lot of boots on the ground type of training or missions,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mathew Johnson, Charlie Co., 210th Aviation Reg., 128th Avn. Bde., instructor and NCO of the year competitor. “However, in any downed aircraft scenario, this type of training is absolutely what we need and it’s really good to reinforce these skills occasionally.”
After earning the title of Platoon Sergeant of the Quarter, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brittany Barfield, Charlie Co., 222nd Aviation Reg., 128th Avn. Bde. platoon sergeant, was also able to participate in the Advanced Individual Training Platoon Sergeant of the Year Competition. Barfield used this competition to gauge the skills she needs to brush up on in order to perform as a top-notch Soldier, in everyday life.
Eight Soldiers from JBLE and installations across the country competed for the title of NCO of the Year for the 128th Avn. Bde. The winners will move on to compete in the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s competition at Fort Rucker, Ala. Soldiers who win at Fort Rucker will compete at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command to gain the title of Soldier of the Year.
Johnson and Barfield will represent the 128th Aviation Brigade at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s competition at Fort Rucker, Ala.
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2017 10:57 |
| Story ID: | 226753 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 136 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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