FORT SILL, Okla. (Dec. 18, 2014) -- An automated logistical specialist and a support platoon sergeant were honored as the Fort Sill Soldier, and Noncommissioned Officer of the Fourth Quarter respectively.
The post recognized the Soldiers Dec. 11, during an award luncheon at the Patriot Club.
Spc. Curtis Matthew, Headquarters Support Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Tilley, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, were honored by post and community leaders, their fellow Soldiers and family and friends. Tilley could not attend the ceremony because of a family emergency.
To earn the recognition, the two had to go through a series of boards beginning with their battalion Soldier or NCO of the month board. Then they moved on to the battalion quarterly board. Next was the brigade quarterly board, and, finally, the Fires Center of Excellence fourth quarter board.
"I feel blessed, I feel very happy," said Matthew of the recognition. "I had a lot of people who had faith in me and pushed me."
Ceremony guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Brunwald, Fort Sill NCO Academy commandant, said great leaders are always needed at every level regardless if it is war or peacetime.
"There must be a positive force of will that can guide a formation or a thought," said Brunwald, who enlisted in 1986. "The force that propels great leaders is character.
"I propose one successful way to develop character and leaders is through the Soldier, and NCO of the Month competition ... as they progress they develop self-confidence and inner strength that helps to forge courage, tenacity and stamina," Brunwald said.
Matthew and Tilley had sponsors whose role was to mentor them through the board process.
Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Weaver, B/2-4th FA platoon sergeant, was Tilley's sponsor. He described Tilley as tenacious with a desire to get missions accomplished.
"He goes above-and-beyond and took on multiple positions: training room NCOIC (noncommissioned officer in charge), BOC (Battery Operations Center) chief, operations sergeant and platoon sergeant positions," said Weaver. "He's a hard charger, who knows how to lead Soldiers and make sure standards are followed."
Matthew's sponsor, Staff Sgt. Marcus Johnson, 168th BSB, said Matthew is a motivated Soldier who is eager to learn.
"He is very teachable and coachable and takes advantage of training opportunities," Johnson said. "He wants to get better everyday as a Soldier."
During the ceremony, Matthew was presented the Army Commendation Medal by Maj. Gen. John Rossi, FCoE and Fort Sill commanding general. Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Lindsey, FCoE CSM, awarded him his coin of excellence. The honorees also received numerous gifts from units, organizations and community sponsors.
Tilley, age 34, entered active duty in February 2010. He attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill. His military occupational specialty is 13P, Multiple Launch Rocket System fire direction specialist. Tilley is a member of the post softball team.
Matthew, 23, is from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He graduated from Princess Anne High School in 2010 at Virginia Beach, Va. His cousin Pfc. Tasheba King also works on Fort Sill at the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
Fort Sill will recognize its 2014 Soldier, and NCO of the Year during a ceremony in late January.
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