FORT RUCKER, Ala. - The post recognized three Soldiers as being the best of the best for the second and third quarters of the year May 3 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
Sgt. Michael Roberts, Noncommissioned Officer Academy supply sergeant, was named the NCO of the second quarter, while Sgt. Daniel Wilker, 6th Military Police Detachment, and Staff Sgt. Matthew McPartlin, C Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment Troy Tower facility chief, were named the Soldier and NCO of the third quarter, respectively.
Roberts said he hopes to pass on what he's learned from going through the process of preparing for the tests and evaluations to other NCOs who might be thinking of pushing themselves to the next level.
"Now that I've done it, I know how to study and help (other NCOs) prepare for it," he said. "It's a chance for me to help them advance their careers."
Roberts' immediate supervisor, 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Herzog, said the Soldiers exemplify what it means to be an NCO and to be successful in today's Army.
"When I went through the process, it was just a question-and-answer board," Herzog said. "Now, it's a test and actual performance of certain tasks. It takes a lot more time and dedication. (Roberts) has done really well and we're all very pleased with him."
Roberts said other NCOs should seriously consider going through the testing because it can further their careers and make them better Soldiers.
"You have to go in with both feet," he said. "The biggest thing is to remain confident."
Herzog added that other NCOs and Soldiers should do something to set themselves apart from their peers and their leaders should do as much as they can to encourage them.
"This is just one of those opportunities that every Soldier and NCO on this installation has," Herzog said. "Anyone can go to their supervisor and say 'I'd like to compete,' and that supervisor should support the Soldier on that. It makes them and the organization look even more professional."
McPartlin's supervisor, 1st Sgt. William Wisecup, said encouraging the Soldier was almost unnecessary because of his overwhelming sense of determination and will to succeed.
"I told him to keep his head up and keep trying, and that's almost all it took," Wisecup said. "He's the type of person that, when he fails, he doesn't let it stop him. You don't find those people too often."
McPartlin said his experience going through the testing for NCO of the quarter has given him the knowledge to pass on to other NCOs as they begin the process of going for the award.
"Every little thing counts in this," he said. "Attention to detail is the only way to make it through."
Sgt. 1st Class David Cochran, 6th MP kennel master, said Wilker made Soldier of the quarter because he's a "self motivator."
"When he's given a task, all I have to do is hint that he might fail and he drives even further," he said. "That's just the person he is. He's got a lot of heart. You can't teach that. You either have it or you don't."
Wilker said the hard work was all worth it because he was promoted as a result, and now he plans to take what he's learned and pass it on to other Soldiers.
"Being that example, I can show and lead my Soldiers to see that if I can do it, they can do it," he said. "I always go for the top. I'm a hard-charger and I don't like to lose. I try to instill that in my Soldiers, as well."
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