MEDDAC Soldiers compete for the Soldier / NCO of the Year

By Mr. Chul H Yang (Northern Regional Medical Command)December 18, 2015

Preparing Casulaty Evacuation (CASEVAC) Operation
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Candidates engage targets during Range Operations
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During the 3-days of fierce competition, five Soldiers endured grueling challenges and minimal rest jockeying for the top position as Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

Fort Drum MEDDAC held its annual Soldier and NCO of the year competition 3-5 November. Soldiers endured 8 tough and demanding tasks followed by intricate questions from the senior NCO Oral Board.

Day 1 started with the 3-event APFT at 5 a.m. and multiple hands on tasks in Range Operations which include function check, zero the weapon, and qualify using the 9-hole cutout; followed by written examination on Army Readiness and day land navigation. The final event of the day, night land navigation finally wrapped up the day at 10 p.m.

Without much needed sleep, next day began at 4 a.m. with Combat Scenario Lanes. This multiple tasked exam included issue a WARNO, use visual signaling techniques, exterior movement through urban environment, evaluate a casualty, conduct operations IAW law of war, request MEDEVAC, employ hand grenades and submit SALUTE report. But the day wasn't over yet. All soldiers finished the day with a 4-mile Ruck-march within an hour.

"The toughest event was the night time land navigation," said Spec. Whalen. "There were lots of thorn bushes, kind of like going through a cheese grater."

Soldiers endured two tough days of difficult tasks from dawn to dusk.

The final day again started with a 4-mile ruck-march at 5 a.m. which once more had to complete within an hour. After demanding fast-paced march, competitors got ready for the closing event, the oral board. Soldiers had to clear their mind after physical exhaustion and use their intellectual skills to provide precise answers to the challenging questions from the senior NCOs.

As the committee tallied up the final scores from all competitors, it was Sgt. Fallin taking the NCO of the Year title and Spec. Crowder who took the Soldier of the Year title.

"The toughest hurdle I would say was just staying motivated throughout the event. I will admit I lost a lot of energy and motivation after the 4 mile run/walk (after the IED)," said Crowder. "The following day we had to do another 4 mile run/walk with 35lbs ruck. It wasn't bad, but just staying motivated was a challenge."

All Soldiers who challenged themselves to be the best, SGT Fallin, SGT Guy, SPC Crowder, SPC Hanna, and SPC Whalen, exhibited true essence of the Army Warrior