EL GORAH, Egypt - During the early morning hours of March 18, 2015 three noncommissioned officers, selected by their unit commands as the best of the best, came together in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt to compete for the coveted title of Task Force Sinai Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter. Although three entered the arduous competition only one came out on top.
Nevada National Guardsman Sgt. Nathaniel Hill, currently serving as a human resource specialist for the 1st Support Battalion, Task Force Sinai, Multinational Force and Observers, was selected as the Task Force Sinai Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter Wednesday after narrowly beating out Texas Guard and active duty Soldiers.
“I always have a strong desire and motivation to be the best so it was relieving to hear my name called out as the winner,” Hill said.
Relief for Hill and the other competitors came after hours of intense competition.
The Soldiers were pitted against each other during a number of physically and mentally challenging events. Those events included a physical fitness test, weapons qualification, treating a casualty lane, calling in a nine-line medevac lane and a written test.
After having their physical abilities exhausted the Soldiers capped off the competition with a formal board, appearing in front of senior leaders who tested their knowledge of all aspects of the Army.
To prepare for this level of competition each Soldier dedicated countless hours to studying with their supervisors.
“I studied enough to get dizzy,” Hill joked.
Although only one noncommissioned officer came out on top everyone walked away a better leader.
“Putting yourself into uncomfortable situations is the best way to see your strengths and weaknesses and to develop and grow as a leader,” Hill added. “The competition was very strong and it came down to being a nail biter.”
Only a few points separated Hill from the other competitors and although it was a close victory it was no surprise for Hill’s leadership.
“I was immensely confident that Sgt. Hill would win,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Martinelli, an information technology specialist with the 757th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1SB. “Hill dedicated a significant amount of his personal time to studying for these boards and he has an unbelievable amount of drive and focus. It was a dual sensation of relief and pride when I heard his name called off as the winner.”
Making his sponsor, Martinelli, proud was just one of Hill’s objectives as his main goal was to represent his home state.
“I wanted to do my best to represent my battalion and the state of Nevada,” Hill said. “I’m happy I was able to make them proud.”