FORT SILL, Okla. (April 2, 2015) -- Two members of the 31st Air Defense Artillery "Ready and Vigilant" Brigade were recognized as the installation's Noncommissioned Officer, and Soldier of the (first fiscal) Quarter during a ceremony March 24, at the Historic Patriot Club.
Sgt. Francisco Flores, age 30, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 31st ADA; and Pfc. Jacob Richards, 23, HHB, 3rd Battalion, 2nd ADA, were honored in front of post leaders, peers, family and friends.
"It's a tremendous honor to be named NCO of the Quarter for the entire post," said Flores, a Patriot (missile) Fire-control Enhanced Operator and Maintainer. "It feels great."
Flores' supervisor Sgt. 1st Class Peter Paquette introduced Flores during the ceremony. He said he was proud of him, and he described Flores as as an exceptional leader and NCO.
"He's very motivated, and I knew all along that he's got what it takes to be a good NCO," said Paquette, who is an Air Defense Artillery Fire Coordination NCO in charge. "I just wish more Soldiers could be like him."
Paquette said it was great that 31st ADA Brigade swept the awards, and he attributed it to the prepartion and dedication of the brigade's Soldiers.
"At the 31st, we do our very best to instill in our Soldiers all the good things that the Army has to offer," he said.
The recognition was the culmination of months of intense work for Flores and Richards, who were evaluated on physical fitness, warrior tasks, customs and ceremonies, Army professional knowledge, and appearance and demeanor before a board of senior enlisted leaders.
The Soldiers first competed at their respective battalions, then moved up to the brigade selection boards. After that they competed at the installation level.
Richards said it was a great honor to be recognized, and that he earned it by competing and through a lot of studying after work hours.
"My NCO (Sgt. Spencer Fletcher) was really diligent helping me study," said Richards, a communications specialist. "I just tried to maintain all that, and keep the knowledge in my head and then execute it."
Fletcher described Richards: "He's a very motivated and dedicated Soldier. He has really worked to improve his rank and his abilities in the military to be a successful leader. He motivates everybody in the section."
Richards enlisted in the Army in Oct. 2013, and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga. He completed Nodal Network Systems Operator and Maintainer training at Fort Gordon, Ga. Fort Sill is Richards' first duty station. At the HHB, 3-2nd ADA, he works as a communications relay group crew leader.
Flores entered the Army in July 2010. He attended BCT and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill.
At the 31st, Flores said he is working outside his military occupational specialty 14E, instead performing administration of tasking, training and operation orders at the brigade level.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, presented the winners with Army Commendation Medals. Fort Sill Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. David Carr awarded them coins of excellence. Afterward, Fort Sill unit and agency representatives, and community sponsors gave them numerous gifts.
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