Finalists fight for honors as Soldier, NCO of the Year

By Monica K. GuthrieMay 20, 2016

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5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Nicholas Thornhill, Patriot Test Detachment, climbs up a ladder for the final obstacle, May 12, 2016 during the Soldier of the Year competition at Fort Sill, Okla. The winner will be announced June 2 during an induction ceremony for the Sgt. Aud... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla., May 19, 2016 -- "Don't look down."

That was the phrase Spc. Nicholas Thornhill, Patriot Test Detachment, told himself while standing at the base of Jacob's Ladder, a 30-foot climbing ladder and the entry into an 18-challenge obstacle course.

"I do have a fear of heights," said Thornhill as he gazed up at the obstacle. "But this is a competition and there's no way I won't perform. I tackled it and got the job done."

The ladder was just one in a series of physical fitness challenges Soldiers battled during the obstacle course portion of the NCO (noncommissioned officer) and Soldier of the Year competition. The three-day contest ran May 11-13 and included typical challenges such as land navigation, weapons qualification, improvised explosive device lanes, combat casualty care in addition to an Army Physical Fitness Test and a board.

Master Sgt. Michael Crook, Fires Center of Excellence plans NCO, organized the competition and said planning began in January in order to have the land, ammunition and personnel available. Crook tried to mimic what Soldiers will see if they progress to the Army-wide NCO/Soldier of the Year competition. Still, he did want to change some of the challenges to keep the competitors on their toes.

"The way we operated the range was a little different," said Crook. "We gave them a disassembled weapon and they had to assemble it for time, do a functions check, zero and then qualify on the weapon. Also, typically the (land navigation) is in the day followed by a break for dinner and then night land nav. We reversed it. The Soldiers were out at 3 in the morning to do night land nav and went into the day."

Spc. Timothy Rackard, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, said he studied extra for the land navigation having never properly learned it previously. Guided by leaders in his unit, Rackard said he learned quickly what he needed to know to complete the challenge.

"I did pretty well. I had a night crash course which helped with the daytime course and I found all four points," said Rackard. "You gotta make sure your pace count is correct. It was tough and challenging."

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bogert, F Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery, said he has participated in Soldier competitions before and was surprised at the inclusion of vehicle maintenance as part of the Fort Sill competition. Soldiers were required to show proficiency in basic vehicle maintenance on the first day of the event.

"Something we don't normally do is periodic maintenance on vehicles, which you don't see in competitions too often, but it's pretty much everyone's job in the military," said Bogert.

Spc. Lawrence MacIntyre, B Battery, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery, said when he learned he was coming to the competition he felt like a "chicken with its head cut off."

"We got our leaders book together and found out the times and started studying. I feel pretty good. I'm just here so I don't get fined," said MacIntyre quoting Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.

The winners of the competition will be announced at the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club induction ceremony June 2. In the meantime Sgt. Stacy Ward, HHB, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, said she was going to take some time and relax.

"It's definitely been mentally and physically challenging, more than I expected it to be," she said. "It definitely shows you what you can put your body through and what you can overcome when you think you can't finish something. I'm probably going to go get a massage and sleep for two days."