FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 25, 2016) -- After three days of grueling competition covering 18 events in near-100 degree weather, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Wood, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, was named the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill advanced individual training Platoon Sergeant of the Year (PSoY).
"I was fairly sure I would win this during certain parts of the competition, but still it was anybody's game," said Wood. "I am very happy and proud to have actually won."
Wood will move on to the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) PSoY competition Sept. 5-9, at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Also competing were 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery staff sergeants Jermaine Stafford, Johnny Wells and Richard Caldera; and Staff Sgt. Kyle Bassett, 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery.
They were selected by their battalions to compete at the post level.
"I was faced with some strong competitors and we pushed each other to do better each step of the way, and in the end, I gained some new friends," said Wood.
The participating platoon sergeants were recognized during an award ceremony Aug. 22, at Webster Auditorium in Summerall Hall here in the presence of their peers, family, friends and post leaders.
An advanced individual training platoon sergeant serves as the class administrator for new Soldiers learning their respective military occupational specialties, as well as a mentor to help the students continue to develop in preparation for their first duty assignments.
The 30th Air Defense Artillery and the 428th Field Artillery brigades have alternated the running of the competition since its inception in 2007.
This year the 428th FA had the honors, and Master Sgt. Raymond Norwood headed the program.
"We really don't know what events will be included in the final competition this fall, but we do know that one of the elements will be the 'element of surprise,'" said Norwood.
This year's competitors endured written exams on Army and TRADOC regulations, a Combat Conditioning Course, a 20-kilometer ruck march, day and night land navigation events, and battle drills, among others.
"I think the toughest part of the competition is performing in the physical events followed by mental events with little sleep," said Norwood. This year, the daily start and end times varied, unlike last year where the times were more structured.
The course used in this year's competition closely mimicked last year's plan of action with some tweaking.
"Like last year, some of the events were timed, some are based off their professionalism and others are based on their knowledge level regarding a particular subject," said Norwood. "We didn't do an exact replica of last year's itinerary. We want to keep it mixed up, keep the Soldiers on their toes," he added.
Norwood, along with Master Sgt. Jermaine Mason, 30th ADA Brigade, as well as last year's PSoY Sgt. Claudia Collazo organized the events for this year's competition.
"Collazo really stepped up and helped with arranging time on the different courses for the competition," said Norwood. "Like most things in the Army, it's a joint effort."
PSoY competitors must be nominated by their command and must have served as an active platoon sergeant for at least one year to be eligible.
Each competitor also must have a sponsor to support them during the competition, usually their battle buddy.
"If a Soldier does not have a sponsor, it is up to the command or battery to appoint them one prior to the competition starting," said Norwood.
"My sponsor helped me a lot during this competition, but my wife, Ruby was with me all the way as well," said Wood. "She has been a great inspiration and was very understanding when I stayed up late every night for the two weeks prior to the competition to study."
Being prior military herself, helped his wife to better understand the situation, according to Wood.
"This is the type of person I am and want to be, someone who takes on challenges and wins," said Wood.
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