Pfc. Austin Edwards, an M1 armor crewman assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment; and Sgt. Jake Merkt, a wheeled vehicle mechanic serving as a training noncommissioned officer, Company B, 115th Brigade Support Battalion; did just that April 2, earning recognition from the entire brigade for their hard work and exceptional leadership potential.
Four Soldiers and 5 NCOs competed for the title, representing seven battalions and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT.
After an early-morning Army Physical Fitness Test, Soldiers donned their dress uniforms and an examination board of senior enlisted leaders from the battalions, grilled Soldiers on a host of topics, including Army Training and Leader Development; Army Physical Readiness Training; Soldier and NCO Counseling; Unified Land Operations; the Code of Conduct, Army Programs; and many other topics.
Merkt, a native of Highland Village, Texas, said he enjoyed the challenge of competing for the top spot.
"I went in 'guns-a-blazin,'" Merkt said. "I told myself I was going to win it."
Merkt said he strives to be the best leader he can, and he does it for his family. He and his wife Nichole have two sons, and are expecting another child.
After answering questions at the board, Soldiers performed a functions check on a M4 Carbine -- NCOs disassembled and reassembled the weapons and performed the check - identified a terrain feature on a map from grid coordinates; answered a written test on the wear and appearance of the Army service uniform; and operated a Ground and Airborne Radio System.
Pfc. Daquan Randall, the youngest Soldier competing at the board at 19-years-old, and a human resources specialist from 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, credited his leaders for preparing him to compete.
"I have great NCOs, not only from my shop, but throughout my unit," said Randall, a native of Orlando, Florida.
"And lots of late night studying," added Randall who said it took more than days and weekends to prepare him for the competition.
The competition was close, with all the Soldiers performing very well, said Command Sgt. Maj. Rocky Carr, senior enlisted advisor for the 115th BSB.
"It was a great effort across the board," Carr said. "You could tell Soldiers were prepared, well-balanced and ready to represent their battalions. Any one of them would represent the brigade well at the division competition."
Edwards and Merkt will represent the Ironhorse brigade at the upcoming 1st Cavalry Division Soldier and NCO of the Year competition.
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