FORT SILL, Okla. (Sept. 18, 2014) -- A drill sergeant and a communications specialist were honored as the installation's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Third Quarter, respectively, Sept. 11 at the Patriot Club.
Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Nixon Pacheco Jr., B Battery, 95th Adjutant General (Reception) Battalion, and Pfc. Sabrina Hill, Head-quarters and Headquarters Battery, 214th Fires Brigade, were recognized in front of dozens of their fellow Soldiers, family, friends and post and community leaders.
"I'm happy to be representing the 434th Field Artillery Brigade as a drill sergeant, and also happy to represent field artillery as a whole since I'm a 13 Bravo (cannon crewmember)," said Pacheco, 36, who entered active duty in May 2003. "It's a very proud moment for myself and my family."
Pacheco's wife, Melissa, said she was proud of him, and that she helped him prepare for the competition.
"I helped him out with remembering all the modules, and he asked me questions about things I'm experienced in as far as my knowledge in the military," said Melissa, who is an Army Reserve Soldier, assigned to the 961st Engineer Battalion, near Dallas.
As a senior drill sergeant at the 95th AG, Pacheco oversees the physical fitness training of Basic Combat Training Soldiers who have failed the basic PT test, as well as Soldiers who were injured during basic and are recovering.
"We not only physically heal them, but also work on their emotional and spiritual well-being," said
Pacheco, who has been a drill sergeant for 18 months.
Hill, 23, troubleshoots radios and computers in the S6 (communications) shop. She said she was surprised that she was selected.
"I feel it is an honor. I came in feeling like I didn't have a chance even at the battalion Soldier of the Month level," said Hill.
In addition to months of studying and PT, Hill attributed her success to her supervisors.
"It really takes an encouraging force behind you. I really didn't believe I could do it; I had given up, but my sergeants all believed in me," she said.
During the ceremony, the honorees were introduced by their supervisors.
Staff Sgt. Keron Frazier, 214th FiB S6 information service NCO, introduced Hill. He described her as the type of Soldier the Army wants to keep even as it looks to drawdown.
"She's motivated -- a hard-charger, squared away, and I can always count on her," Frazier said. "She's always in the right place at the right time in the right uniform."
First Sergeant Yolonda Felton, B/95th AG (Reception), described Pacheco as one of the hardest working drill sergeants in the battery.
"He comes up with plans to assist the Soldiers," Felton said. "He is top-notch all the way."
Guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Harrison, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, shared thoughts on leadership:
"Make it a point to visit the end of every line -- the units and personnel no one ever visits, because without them we could not do what we do.
"Recognize a Soldier every day: A handshake, a look in the eye and a thank you go further than most people realize.
"Accept that your life belongs to your Soldiers, you must be available when they need you not just when you have the time.
"Be physically fit. There's nothing worse than a leader who skates by not doing PT.
"Become proficient in writing and speaking English without using profanity.
"Empathize, ask questions and help others come to their own conclusions," Harrison said.
Pacheco and Hill were presented the Army Commendation Medal and the Fires Center of Excellence CSM's coin of excellence. They also received many gifts from units, agencies and community sponsors.
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