Once a year, career counselors from across the Army compete for the honor of being named Career Counselor of the Year by the Secretary of the Army. With 13 Soldiers competing, three tasks, and high expectations, ultimately, it was Sgt. 1st Class Woody Woodside, of the 59th Signal Battalion who was named the FY 16 Active Component Career Counselor of the Year.
"I was extremely excited when I found out I won," said Woodside. "The level of competition was so high that I was doubtful of how well I did."
Career Counselors of both active duty and reserve components on active status first compete at the USARAK level before moving on to the U.S. Army Pacific, or USARPAC, competition. Winners then move on to the annual competition, where the best career counselor within the Department of the Army's eight major Army commands is identified. Sgt. 1st Class Barbara Grimm of USARAK Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, or HHD, was named the FY 16 Reserve Component Career Counselor of the Year.
"I was quite surprised that I won," said Grimm, who has been in the Army for 16 years. "As a Reserve Component Career Counselor, I get the opportunity to guide all the Soldiers on the installation who are leaving active duty. It's highly rewarding."
Considered to be subject matter experts on all facets of Army life, career counselors are highly-trained non-commissioned officers that counsel and mentor Soldiers and family members. They serve as a special staff advisor to the commander and the command sergeant major on all matters relating to retention, reclassification, career development, separations and attrition management.
"These career counselors directly impact Army end strength and are force multipliers," Sgt. Maj. Jorge Garcia, U.S. Army Alaska Command Career Counselor said. "We are extremely proud of the winners."
The competition was divided into three portions -- the Army Physical Fitness Test, a written exam and a board interview. While the physical fitness and written exam wasn't something she worried about, the board interview made a bigger impact on Grimm than she expected.
"Through this board process, I worked closely with the Active Duty Career Counselors and learned so much," said Grimm. "Because of it, I have a stronger understanding of Active opportunities and can overall be a better counselor."
After serving in the Army for more than 15 years, not only does Woodside plan to continue serving well past the 20 year-mark, he plans to continue to enjoy the journey for as long as he can.
"What I love most about being a Career Counselor is that I am able to help Soldiers in their professional life as well as their personal life," said Woodside. "I feel that as long as I am still able to make a valid contribution to the Army, I will continue to serve."
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