RDECOM recognizes 2014 NCO of the Year

By Dan Lafontaine, RDECOM Public AffairsApril 24, 2014

RDECOM recognizes 2014 NCO of the Year
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RDECOM recognizes 2014 NCO of the Year
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RDECOM recognizes 2014 NCO of the Year
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (April 24, 2014) -- Staff Sgt. David Carter earned top honors following a week of rigorous competition among four noncommissioned officers.

Carter captured the award April 24 as the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's NCO of the Year.

"Thank you for motivating me to keep pushing," Carter told the group of about 15 RDECOM Soldiers, including the other competitors, following the awards presentation. "You deserved it as much as I do. It was a good competition and good camaraderie."

RDECOM Deputy Director Jyuji D. Hewitt said that RDECOM's enlisted Soldiers provide an important role alongside the command's scientists and engineers.

"I spent 28 years in the Army myself, and I certainly appreciate what every one of you do," Hewitt said. "There is a quality and professionalism that you bring each and every day, and it doesn't go unnoticed. We need guys who have the voice of the Soldiers, and that is you.

"You bring that piece of practical expertise for what we're trying to develop at our engineering centers and labs. You are essentially the subject matter experts."

Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie echoed Hewitt's remarks and emphasized that RDECOM's NCOs represent the end users for Army technology.

"It's obvious the quality of NCOs we have within RDECOM. The leadership at RDECOM is all extremely proud of the Soldiers here who wear the uniform," Beharie said.

Carter, a military intelligence systems maintainer/integrator assigned to RDECOM's Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center at APG, now advances to the Army Materiel Command NCO of the Year Competition.

Also vying for the award were:

-- Sgt. 1st Class Michelle Williams, an electronics maintenance chief assigned to the Army Research Laboratory at Adelphi, Md.

-- Staff Sgt. Joshua Menninger, a counter-mine section leader assigned to CERDEC at Fort Belvoir, Va.

-- Sgt. Christopher Helms, an Infantryman assigned to the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center at Natick, Mass.

The NCOs discussed their backgrounds and personal goals with the RDECOM public affairs office. They also talked about the competition's essay topic -- the role of NCOs in helping Soldiers and their families as the Army reduces the force to between 440,000 and 450,000 Soldiers from a current level of about 520,000.

A SOLDIER'S PRIDE

The four participants' shared pride for their service and contributions to the Army.

Williams recalled her sacrifices during 13 years in uniform.

"I've deployed three times. I feel like I belong to a culture. The military to me is a lifestyle," Williams said. "I have two kids, and I want them to look up to me and know the sacrifices that I've made, as well as the sacrifices that they've made, for my career."

Carter said he has learned maturity from the Army as well as a sense of accomplishment from his service.

"I'm still motivated to do great things in the Army and push the standards. Once a Soldier, always a Soldier. You see things differently and react to things differently.

"The mentality of the Soldier is to do what you have to do to get the job done."

HELPING SOLDIERS FACING A REDUCTION IN FORCE

The Army has begun reducing its active-duty force after more than 12 years of war, and the competitors addressed the role of NCOs in assisting their fellow Soldiers with the transition.

Menninger stressed how NCOs' leadership is vital during a potentially difficult time of separating from the Army.

"What can I do as a leader to ensure my guys understand the severity of everything going on? Take 10 minutes out of your day and sit face-to-face with your Soldiers and tell them how important it is. As a Soldier, you always look up to your leader," he said.

NCOs must identify and address the reason that a Soldier is leaving, Williams said.

"We can't sit around complain about the drawdown. It's happening," she said. "We as leaders need to find why they are being affected and to target the specific reason. Give them the proper tools to help them whenever it is time to exit the military."

Helms had a unique perspective among the competitors as he graduated from college in 2008 before enlisting. He is studying for a master's degree in homeland security and encourages Soldiers to take advantage of the educational opportunities available through the Army.

"I already have a degree, and I know what it's like outside of the military," he said. "Every Soldier I've [talked with], whether they've been in for awhile or not, I've been pushing education, how important it is, and all the opportunities while you're in and when you get out.

"With downsizing coming up, people aren't going to be allowed to re-enlist. I can help them learn about every opportunity the VA offers. An education makes your knowledge that much broader and the Army stronger."

ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING COMMAND

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC delivers it.

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