GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - Staff Sgt. Booker Jordan, 903rd Contingency Contracting Battalion, was named the 409th Contracting Support Brigade noncommissioned officer of the year for the second consecutive year.
The 409th CSB held its annual NCO of the Year competition here March 19-21.
According to Command Sgt. Maj. Bentura Fernandez, 409th CSB, this competition showcased the best-of-the-best and prepared the top NCO to represent the 409th CSB at the Army Contracting Command level.
"The Soldiers in this competition represent what I believe the future of the contracting NCO Corps should look like," said Fernandez.
"Besides their physical ability and outstanding Soldier skills, these NCOs have the mental acumen to represent Army contracting and embody the complete package of an outstanding NCO," Fernandez said.
Competitors spent three days facing a variety of physical and mental challenges to test their skills, knowledge and endurance. They tested their Army aptitude, contracting knowledge, physical fitness, warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today's operating environment. They also faced board interviews and wrote essays.
For Jordan, going before the NCO board presented him the most challenge.
"This year I was the last competitor going in," explained the Columbus, Ohio, native. "As each person went into the board, I was left with my thoughts, which increased my nervousness."
Competitors were also rated on their marksmanship and orienteering skills during day-and-night land navigation, proved their mettle in a grueling road march, and tested on contracting-specific tasks to write and process multi-purpose purchase orders.
"With the support from friends and family there is no limit to how much one can accomplish," said Jordan. "I had all the support in the world during this competition."
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