Soldiers complete grueling contest, seize top honors

After days of mentally and physically trying tasks, four Fort Jackson Soldiers were named the post's best in the 2015 Drill Sergeant/Platoon Sergeant/Non-Commissioned Officer/Soldier of the Year competition.

Staff Sgt. Eric Hulien from Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment was named Drill Sergeant of the Year.

The title of Platoon Sergeant of the Year went to Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Kelso of Bravo Company, 187th Ordnance Battalion.

Staff Sgt. David Schrock of Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment was named NCO of the Year.

And Spc. Martha McMullen of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment took home Soldier of the Year honors.

The 2015 competition held Monday through Wednesday of last week tested the warrior skills, endurance, knowledge and mental fortitude of Fort Jackson troops during strenuous events held around post. Contest winners were announced Thursday, after Fort Jackson Leader deadline.

"It was a grueling (three days)," Hulien said after he found out he had won, but the honor felt "really good."

The other winners agreed the competition was arduous but one that allowed them to learn more about themselves.

Hulien said labeled the contest mentally and physically exhausting but said it was a "nice, friendly competition" in which everyone supported one another without backstabbing.

Schrock said he and his fellow competitors had to "stay motivated mentally, and stay focused."

"We were all broke down and tired, but no one wanted to quit," he said. "I had to focus on what I can do" to stay sharp.

He admitted he wasn't the best at answering questions in front of the board led by the post's senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Dan Hain, but persistence in the face of adversity helped him tremendously.

"It was tiring and a lot of hard work," he said. "I don't do all of the tasks (tested on) every day." He found Army knowledge, warrior tasks and battle drills to be the easiest because he has the most experience in them.

McMullen said that during the competition, she learned she could do things she never thought possible.

Kelso said he found out how important had been the training he received throughout his 16-year career.

"You never forget the basics," he said. The training was the in the back of his mind during the events and was "as important as the day we learned it."

All said that winning the competition could have a positive impact on others.

"The hard work I put into my job day in and day out paid off," Hulien said. "I will positively influence others to become their best."

His fellow drill sergeant, Schrock, said others needed to "strive for excellence in everything they do" because it takes a huge amount of effort and perseverance to reach one's peak.

Soldiers in Kelso's platoon were "definitely excited about it" and began to try harder. Some in his unit have won their battalion soldier of the month boards, he said.

All four winners will represent Fort Jackson at the TRADOC top Soldier competitions later in the year.

All winners were confident in their abilities, but Schrock put it best when he said, "I am not worried about the TRADOC competition -- I know my capabilities and limits."