FORT SILL, Okla. (April 3, 2014) -- A Multiple Launch Rocket System section chief and a unit supply clerk were selected as Fort Sill's Noncommissioned Officer, and Soldier of the First Quarter, respectively.
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Marshall, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery; and Spc. Vivian Rebstock, E Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th FA, were honored March 27 during a luncheon at the Patriot Club.
Marshall said he felt good about being selected.
"I put in a lot of work, and I have my wife (Felean) to thank because she helped me out studying," said Marshall, who entered active duty August 2009. "It has all paid off."
Rebstock said she felt her selection was an accomplishment.
"I'm grateful that I was afforded the opportunity to compete," Rebstock said, who delayed enlisted in May 2008. "I'm speechless. Receiving all these awards is amazing."
During the ceremony, the Soldiers were introduced by their supervisors.
Sgt. 1st Class Shane Nickell, B/2-4th FA platoon sergeant, described Marshall as an excellent NCO.
"He always takes care of his Soldiers, he knows his job and he'll complete any task, any mission above the standard," said Nickell, who has worked with Marshall for six months.
Sgt. Rochelle Dunlap, E/1-78th supply sergeant, said Rebstock is highly motivated and has a passion to learn how to be a better Soldier.
"She's dedicated and a very hard worker," Dunlap said. "She lives by the Army Values and Warrior Ethos."
Guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Dan Moriarty, Field Artillery School and FA CSM, told the story of how Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army had launched a successful suprise attack on the British Dec. 26, 1776, in Trenton.
As the freezing Soldiers were marching back to Delaware, Col. Henry Knox noticed a group of Soldiers struggling with an artillery gun with a broken axle. The colonel told the sergeant to disregard the gun, Moriarty said.
"Sergeant Joseph White explained this cannon was the best piece in the regiment and he was determined to bring the gun home," Moriarty said.
Later, when there weren't enough captains to command the howitzers at the Battle of Princeton, Knox chose White as the first-ever sergeant to command a howitzer section.
Today's NCO and Soldier of the Quarter competitors, like White, epitomize courage and discipline, the command sergeant major said.
"It takes a special brand of Soldier to leave their comfort zone and have the courage to enter the demanding Fires Center of Excellence competition," Moriarty said. "And, it takes a great deal of discipline to prepare on your own time and sacrifice family time."
Moriarty explained how all the competitors had to face grueling boards in front of senior NCOs, meet Army physical fitness standards and myriad warrior practical tests at the battalion level. The process was repeated at the brigade level and then at the post level, with increasing tasks and difficulty.
Marshall recommended the competition to his peers.
"For one, it's fun and you get away from the day-to-day things, you step outside a little bit and go out and do more training," he said.
During the ceremony, Col. Tracy Banister, FCoE and Fort Sill chief of staff, presented Marshall and
Rebstock with the Army Commendation Medal. Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Morrisey, FCoE and Fort Sill CSM, presented them with his coin of excellence. The honorees also received numerous gifts from Lawton-Fort Sill community sponsors.
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