Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Bruce | Staff Sgt. Eric Campbell, from Borden, Ind., with C Troop, 1st Squadron, 152nd...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER CENTER, Ind. — Soldiers and non-commissioned officers representing the Indiana Army National Guard’s major commands competed to determine who would be Soldier and Non-commissioned Officer of the Year at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., April 18–19.
The soldiers and NCOs were selected for the state-level contest through competitions held by their commands. These units represented 38th Infantry Division, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, 38th Sustainment Brigade, 81st Troop Command, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, Detachment 18 Recruiting and Retention and Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center.
The competition challenged the soldiers and NCOs in fundamental areas of knowledge and ability over the course of two days. Points were awarded for successful completion of an event.
The first day of the competition started with the Army Physical Fitness Test. Following that, soldiers and NCOs went to Army Warrior Task lanes to test their abilities in nuclear, biological and chemical attack, weapons, first-aid, communications and the land navigation course where they had two hours, in dense woods using a map, compass and terrain association, to locate up to five points.
After Army Warrior Tasks, soldiers and NCOs squared off for combatives, the Army’s hand-to-hand combat program, pitting soldier vs. soldier and NCO vs. NCO. There are two ways to win a match; either by forcing their opponent into a submission or through accumulating points by executing maneuvers within the five-minute time limit for each bout. The first night ended with night land navigation, in which the competitors had to locate up to three points using a map, compass and terrain association techniques while practicing light discipline.
Day two started at 4:30 a.m. with an 8-mile road march with rucksacks weighing at least 35 pounds. The road march was made more demanding due to severe rain during the event. Light drizzle settled in as the competitors ran through an obstacle course which was designed as a mystery event. The soldiers and NCOs ran through the course with the four best times receiving points. The final events were held in a classroom challenging soldiers with a written test and an appearance board chaired by some of the Indiana Army National Guard’s most senior NCOs.
“The course was constructed really well,” said Spc. Terrence McKinny, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., this year’s Indiana Army National Guard Soldier of the Year, representing Detachment 18 Recruiting and Retention.
The competition between the soldiers and NCOs was close going into the boards with only a few points separating the leaders, said Staff Sgt. Robert Berentes, of Seymour, Ind., winner of this year’s Indiana Army National Guard NCO of Year, representing Camp Atterbury.
“I was real nervous going into today, really all the way up the board,” said Berentes. “There were a lot of good competitors for the NCO of the Year.”
The competition turned around for Berentes starting on the second day with first place finishes for both the road march and obstacle course.
“It has been a busy year for me,” said Berentes. “I completed Mountain Warfare School, Air Assault School, participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March and got promoted. But it feels good to win this. This is an accomplishment I will feel proud of for the rest of my career.”
The feeling that each of the competitors was the best from their respective commands was not lost on McKinny. This was the first year that Detachment 18 Recruiting and Retention competed for the soldier and NCO of the Year. McKinny said he was proud to represent the recruiting command and win the Soldier of the Year competition.
“The guys were real tough competition,” said McKinny. “It felt good to be competing with the best from the state. Being a part of this is something bigger than myself. I was glad to show that recruiters can do the soldier tasks as well as any of the other commands.”
While each of the competitors strived to win, the soldiers and NCOs encouraged each other through the events.
“We help each other through the competition,” said Spc. Scott Ferguson, from Whiteland, Ind., representing 38th Sustainment Brigade. “We may be competing against each other, but we’re still battle-buddies. It’s a health competition.”
The winners of the Indiana Army National Guard Soldier of the Year and NCO of the Year will go on to compete in the regional level with other states’ soldier and NCO of the Year in May.
“Indiana has an awesome National Guard and I look forward to show what we can do at regional,” said McKinny.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2011 12:28 |
| Story ID: | 69177 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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