94th Training Division Soldier conquers jitters, wins 80th Training Command Instructor of the Year

FORT KNOX, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2014) -- Sgt. 1st Class David Dimoff, a water purification specialist instructor with the 8/80th Quartermaster Battalion, beat out five other competitors to win the 80th Training Command's eighth Instructor of the Year competition here.

Dimoff, who took first place in the enlisted category, and the other competitors taught their classes to a panel of five sergeants major who judged them on their communication skills, technical and tactical knowledge, appearance and military bearing.

At first, Dimoff said he was intimidated when he started teaching and noticed how stone faced the judges appeared.

"It just reminded me how long it's been since I've been before a military review board," he said. "I thought initially it was boring, but then I got my mind right and remembered the environment I was in and just went on with it."

Sgt. Maj. Melissa Jones, the board president and 80th TC Operations and Plans noncommissioned officer in charge, said she was impressed with Dimoff's teaching style and his commitment to giving a good block of instruction.

Command Sgt. Maj. James Wills the 80th TC's senior enlisted advisor, said that Dimoff is the right guy at the right time to represent the command.

"Clearly his performance showed that he was prepared… he's a qualified professional instructor who represents what the Army expects from an instructor," Wills said.

The aim of the competition is to identify and recognize the 80th Training Command's best instructors.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Stumph, a competition judge, said the event needs more competitors.

"We need those first line leaders and raters to encourage their instructors to put forth a little more effort," said Stumph, the 102nd Training Command's senior enlisted adviser. "They're already putting forth a great effort in the classroom."

"We see that when we visit the training sites," he added. "They need to be here."

Dimoff advances to the U.S. Army Reserve Command level competition and will compete in the noncommissioned officer category.

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