A Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Winn Army Community Hospital Soldier, Sgt. Joseph Drumgold, was presented the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement recognition for his accomplishment as the 2016 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year during the hospital commander's monthly award ceremony held in the Patriot Auditorium at Winn ACH.
Army NCOs have the responsibility of preserving high-quality standards and discipline while conducting daily missions and making intent driven decisions. NCOs are standard-bearers and role models who are responsible for caring for their Soldiers and leading them from the front.
Drumgold is an NCO who personifies the Army core values putting his Soldiers first.
"I want to be out there with my Soldiers doing the things that they do," Drumgold said. "If they're running taking a PT test, then hey, I want to be out there running taking a PT test too. I want to show them that I'm not just going to tell them to do something, but we can do it together."
Drumgold takes his position as NCO of the year seriously, and understands the duty that comes with the designation.
"Having the title of NCO of the year comes with a lot of responsibility," Drumgold said. "It puts me on notice that at all times I'm watched for how I act and how I'm portrayed. It's a big responsibility because I'm a representative of the NCO Corps for junior Soldiers to look at and follow and want to emulate."
Drumgold was one of three Soldiers from Fort Stewart MEDDAC involved in the 2016 NCO of the Year competition. The qualifications began with a physical fitness test, followed by a written exam pushing Drumgold to rely on his mental toughness. The competition continued with an oral board conducted by Fort-Stewart U.S. Army MEDDAC Command Sergeant Major, CSM Carol Warren-Clark, and concluded with Engagement Skills Training with M9 and M4 weapons.
"This competition helps with my readiness," Drumgold said. "I have to keep my mind in shape; keep my body in shape. I have to keep my skills intact. I have to be able to qualify, take a PT test, pass a PT test, just things as a Soldier you're required to stay on top of."
For Drumgold, the competition reaffirmed the importance of the NCO's primary mission, to take care of Soldiers.
"It's important to be out there and doing the things that you're telling your Soldiers to do," Drumgold said. "They'll respect you more as a leader because they see you doing the same things that they want to do. They see you competing at boards. They see you qualifying with weapons. The same Soldier tasks that you are holding them responsible for, you're showing that hey, I'm not just telling you to do this because I want to hear myself talk. I'm telling you to do this because this is what I'm doing. This is how I'm getting promoted, and this is how I'm advancing in my career."
Drumgold will be representing MEDDAC as NCO of the Year, at the Regional Health Command -- Atlantic Best warrior competition in March.
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