FORT DRUM, N.Y. --- Twenty-two noncommissioned officers and Soldiers from throughout XVIII Airborne Corps traveled to Fort Bragg, N.C., to vie for top honors in the NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition, June 10-13.
Being recognized as the top NCO was Staff Sgt. Woodruff Musser, an infantryman assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment "Catamounts," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, who received the Meritorious Service Medal after outperforming his fellow competitors during this year's testing.
The event began with the Army Physical Fitness Test and an air assault obstacle course.
"They were then immediately inserted into a grueling 62-hour field competition that stressed them physically, mentally and emotionally in some of the hottest conditions," explained Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg senior enlisted adviser.
Marching more than 50 miles with 35-pound ruck sacks through rigorous terrain, the competitors were required to complete more than 150 tasks along the movement.
They also were tested on weapons knowledge, medical tasks, battle drills, a written essay and a land navigation course.
"Not only did they conduct a day and night land navigation course, but also a scenario-based navigation lane where they had to extract critical information from a written order given to them, to move from one navigation point to another and at times while wearing their protective mask," Jones said.
Musser, who had been training on land navigation since before graduating Ranger School last September, capitalized on this event and stood above his peers by finding five out of five points in one hour and 30 minutes.
"Honestly, I think I had an easy lane," he said. "There were other NCOs who were just as good at land navigation, and they came in at about two hours."
For many Soldiers, land navigation is the most difficult event to conquer and at times a disqualifier, but for Musser, uncertainty was his adversary.
"The toughest part was not knowing what was coming next," he explained. "You were told to get your gear and go. You had no idea if it was more Expert (Infantryman) Badge tasks or more land navigation. You had to execute on the fly a lot."
The event concluded with a formal board appearance in front of a panel of division command sergeants major, who evaluated participants on their military appearance, bearing and knowledge.
"They have successfully proven their mettle and demonstrated commitment to the Army values," Jones said. "These extraordinary Soldiers embody the Warrior Ethos in all aspects and represent the XVIII Airborne Corps, the U.S. Army and the Force of the Future."
Musser and Spc. Thomas Dejesus-Perez, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., who was named XVIII Airborne Corps Soldier of the Year winner, will go on to represent the corps at the U.S. Army Forces Command NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition.
Now mid-stream in his journey that began by winning the 2nd BCT and 10th Mountain Division NCO of the Year boards, Musser looks forward to winning the FORSCOM competition scheduled for August of this year and advancing to the All-Army Competition.
While this event measures an individual's skill and knowledge, Musser explained that without the support of individuals in his unit and encouragement from his wife Sarena, who told him once "don't come back without your tab" as he left for Ranger School, winning would not have been possible.
He also credited two individuals specifically who were instrumental in refining his skills and character as a noncommissioned officer.
"Two of the finest infantrymen I have had the pleasure to serve under were 1st Lt. John Bomsta and Sgt. 1st Class Jason Jones. These two forged and refined me into the NCO I am today," he said. "They pushed me to start my journey to Ranger School and passed along a wealth of knowledge and mentorship that has created a ripple effect that will better the Army as a whole."
Musser also discussed overcoming one's fear of being judged and offered this advice.
"Get out there, stand out among your peers, and don't be afraid of the boards," he said. "In these competitions, the board is a small part of it. You don't need to crush every event, but you need to be good at everything. It is a whole-Soldier concept. Train up on expert infantry tasks and give it a shot. Also, never sandbag anything; you should put out 110 percent in everything you do, in training and in life. Try that, and you'll be successful."
Geneve Mankel contributed to this article.
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