Best of Fort Polk compete for installation Soldier, NCO of Year

Photo By Patricia Dubiel | Fort Polk NCO of the Year candidate Sgt. Christopher Ostavitz (left), 5th Aviation Battalion, gets a last-minute tie adjustment from his sponsor, Staff Sgt. Anthony Carro, before their board appearance June 8.  

UNITED STATES

06.16.2017

Story by Patricia Dubiel 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

The Best Warrior competition recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos, and represent the force of the future, according to www.army.mil/bestwarrior. Warriors selected to compete for these prestigious titles — 10 NCOs and 10 Soldiers from 10 commands — have already mastered a series of benchmarks throughout the year to qualify for the Army-wide event. During the four-day competition, these elite competitors will test their Army aptitude by conquering urban warfare simulations, board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams and warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.
But before they can compete at the big Army level, potential candidates have to start with their company and battalion-level boards. It usually starts when someone is nominated for Soldier of the Month or quarter, then other board opportunities pop up, such as for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club or other organizations. Once they prove their mettle in these challenges, they are selected to try for the installation-level competition.
As they tackle obstacle courses, land navigation and the Army Physical Fitness Test, Soldiers also study for the board and ensure their Class A uniforms are spit-and-polish, under the ever-watchful eyes of their sponsors. Sponsors serve as coaches for their candidates, speaking for them at the board and helping them with questions and training leading up to the competition.
“I qualified for this after pursuing other boards,” said Sgt. Maiwand Arends, 3rd Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, Operations Group. “Soldier of the Year events are similar to those used at the battalion level. I was interested in doing it because I love it — I like the challenge. It gives you a refresher on military knowledge and basic skills.”
Pfc. Hannah Johnson, 258th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, said she competed in the battalion-level Soldier of the Year, then continued to sharpen her skills for subsequent competitions.
“I just kept saying ‘yes’ to boards,” she said. “Now I’m doing this one. I’m looking forward to the obstacle course — heights are a challenge for me but I plan to conquer it.”
Staff Sgt. Joe Ada is the sponsor for Sgt. Justin Jenkins, both of the 115th Combat Support Hospital. He said his role as a sponsor is to help train and offer encouragement. “Jenkins is one of my squad leaders and he’s been going to boards for NCO of the month and quarter,” Ada said. “We have done company training, land navigation, weapons training and the obstacle course to prepare for this event. I’m here for moral support.”
During the board — the final phase of the competition — the nine candidates were presented to a panel of senior enlisted leadership from Fort Polk tenant units and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major. They were asked questions about military leadership, warrior tasks, battle drills, Army history, Army programs, military justice, first aid, drill and ceremony, land navigation, survival, ethics and other topics.
The winners are:
• Soldier of the Year: Spc. Garret Hayes, U.S. Army Medical Activity. Runner up: Pfc. Hannah Johnson, 258th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion.
• NCO of the Year: Cpl. Steven Huffstutter, 46th Engineer Battalion. Runner up: Sgt. Maiwand Arends, 3rd Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, Operations Group.
A luncheon is held for the winners and runners up June 27, where they will receive a slew of prizes and special recognition.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2017
• Date Posted: 12.21.2017 11:59
• Story ID: 259845
• Location: US