FORT GORDON, Ga. -- Two Soldiers from the 21st Signal Brigade earned recognition for their selection as the 7th Signal Command (Theater) Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year during a ceremony at the command's recognition ball at Fort Gordon, Georgia, recently.
Sgt. Edilberto Ramos, a Senior Satellite Communications Systems Operator at the 21st Signal Brigade, earned the NCO of the Year award, and Sgt. Samantha Dubuis, a Senior SATCOM Communication Systems Operator/team leader at the 21st Signal Brigade received the SOY award.
"The SOY competition is an opportunity to stand apart from my peers and show my Soldiers that hard work will get results," said Ramos.
He has served five years in the Army and enjoys working out, taking college courses and being physically challenged.
"This competition allows me to represent my unit, and it allows me to see how I compare to my peers, said DuBuis. "Competing also highlights areas I can improve and it offers an experience to meet fellow Soldiers serving with me."
She has served in the Army three and a half years.
Both Soldiers received Army Commendation Medals for their selections and will compete at the next SOY competition level at the U. S. Army Network and Enterprise Technology Command, Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Nine Soldiers from 7th SC (T) units competed in a variety of events including the Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons qualification, day and night land navigation, eight-mile rucksack march, water survival, Army Warrior Task events, a written example, mystery event (combatives), and an interview board over the course of a week.
"My expectations were met. The Soldiers and NCOs arrived as competitors, but they departed with pride and admiration for being a part of this command," said Sgt. Maj. Patrick Brooks, command sergeant major, 7th SC (T).
The other NCO and Soldiers of the Year candidates were:
- Sgt. 1st Class Sabbar Williams, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 93rd Signal Brigade, Fort Eustis, Virginia.
- Staff Sgt. Esteban Ayala, Brigade Chaplain assistant NCO, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.
- Sgt. Nicholas Vanzant, Senior Technical Support Specialist, U.S. Army Cyber Protection Brigade, Fort Gordon.
- Sgt. Tom Williamson, G-6 NCO in Charge, 7th SC (T) headquarters, Fort Gordon.
- Pfc. Joseph Pilkington, Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist, CPB, Fort Gordon.
- Pfc. Don Mayville, 7th SC (T) HQ, Fort Gordon.
- Spc. Ebony Brown, Training Room assistant, 106th Signal Brigade, JBSA, Fort Sam Houston.
Civilians of the Year
Also during the ball, 7th SC (T)'s Col. Ar;lester Vernon, Jr., commander, 7th SC (T), recognized Alana Page of the 93rd Signal Brigade HQ, and Cindy Thornburg of the Fort Carson, Colorodo, Network Enterprise Center, as the command's Civilians of the Year.
Although Page was unable to attend the ceremony, Vernon praised her diligence for helping to ensure the 93rd Signal Brigades' Knowledge Management success.
"She developed a portal process owner index providing a quick reference to information associated with brigade wide business processes," he said. "In addition, she developed a newcomer's packet highlighting the organization's purpose, structure, and functional assignments which has proven to be another valuable tool supporting the on-boarding process."
Vernon praised Thornburg as well, "her professionalism led Fort Carson NEC to receive an excellent rating during the command cyber readiness inspection as well as the DoD information assurance certification and accreditation process inspection," he said. "Ms. Thornburg also took the initiative to support and assist the 4th Infantry Division with their inspection by reviewing and recommending updates to their policies."
The 21st Signal Brigade, with headquarters at Fort Detrick, Maryland; the 93rd Signal Brigade, with headquarters at Fort Eustis; and the 106th Signal Brigade, with headquarters at JBSA Fort Sam Houston, are subordinate reporting units to 7th SC (T).
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