Fort Huachuca, Arizona - A Soldier assigned to the 6th Military Intelligence Battalion/95th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 100th Training Division, was honored as the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Army Reserve Instructor of the Year during a ceremony Tuesday on Fort Huachuca.
Sgt. 1st Class Raymundo Soto, an all-source intelligence analyst senior instructor who currently lives in San Antonio, was presented his award on behalf of Gen. David Perkins, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, TRADOC, by Maj. Gen. A.C. Roper, commanding general of the 80th Training Command, or TASS. The ceremony took place at the 1st Brigade building.
"I think it's a tremendous honor for [Sergeant 1st Class] Soto to be recognized for such a distinguished award. It really speaks to his professionalism and dedication to service as an instructor," Roper said. "I traveled from Birmingham, Alabama, to present the award because I think it is a tremendous honor for TRADOC to recognize an Army Reserve Instructor of the Year and I thought it was extremely important to be here for the presentation."
Perkins appeared on the projection screen as Soto was presented his award. The seven awardees were all recognized during the ceremony that was held at various military installations nationwide by video.
"I know it's a great accomplishment but I think, for me, it's just like I've always told my Soldiers, you do the best in no matter what you do," Soto said. "Whether you're giving a class, whether you're in combat, you just give it your all."
"For me, I'm very passionate about the things that I brief so I think it's just natural," he added. "I just do it because I think it's the right fit for me. I just see it as doing my job but I do like the recognition for the unit for the MI (Military Intelligence) Corps, for the NCO Corps and all the reservists out there.
"You just have to give it your best. We owe it to our Soldiers to make sure that they walk away with something and that's what I strive for whenever I give any military intelligence course or any other course," Soto said. "I want to make sure that everybody in the room walks away with something. I think that's what helps me be a better instructor."
Each recipient received an Instructor of the Year plaque, TRADOC Certificate of Achievement, TRADOC coin and four-star coin from Perkins. Soto also received a coin from Roper.
Soto has served as an instructor for three years. He enlisted in the Army in 1995 as a finance specialist and served as a financial specialist and a civil affairs specialist before joining the Military Intelligence Corps. He has deployed to Kosovo and twice to Afghanistan and has been awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
In his civilian job, Soto is the vice president of the compliance department for an international firm. He is married to his wife Roxanne and has two children, Destiny and Zachary.
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