CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – A competition to determine both the Third Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year was held here June 18-22. The winner will advance to the U.S. Forces Command competition at Fort Hood to represent Third Army in the service-wide competition to determine the NCO and Soldier of the Year.
“The best of the best are here,” said Phoenix native Spc. Moises Delatorre, 15th Engineer Battalion, Area Support Group-Kuwait. “The competition decides the best soldier in the U.S. Army. I have to put my best foot forward every day.”
Throughout the span of four days, the soldiers participated in a number of tasks testing their physical and mental strength. Events included an Army Physical Fitness Test, land navigation, weapons qualification, written examination and board presentation.
“The key to being the Soldier of the Year is doing what you are supposed to and wanting to become an NCO,” said Spc. Dale Adams, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 530th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
With so many soldiers extraordinary at their job, the competition came down to heart and desire.
“I am proud to be here representing my unit, showing we have great NCOs and soldiers. It is just an honor to be here at this level of competition. I would love to go on to compete at the FORSCOM competition at Fort Hood, Texas, to show Third Army is the best,” said Sgt. Jared Lee Martin, 160th Signal Brigade, 335th Signal, lead technician, a Hendersonville, Tenn., native.
Soldiers were not only competing for themselves, their unit and Third Army, but also to represent their families, who have made sacrifices to support their loved ones during combat tours. Adams, recognized as the 2011 Soldier of the Year, was selected to represent Third Army at Fort Hood and has military service running through his blood.
“My dad is prior military,” said Adams, who hails from Salisbury, Md. “He’s very proud of me for making it this far.”
Third Army’s commitment to developing young leaders was on full display during the 2011 NCO and Soldier of the Year competition. There will only be two soldiers moving on to Fort Hood, but all contestants worked hard to get to Camp Buehring and will help Third Army to shape the future for coming years.