FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - The Fort Leonard Wood Outstanding Servicemembers and Civilian of the Year found out who they were at the award ceremony, Friday.
"You have set yourself apart," said Col. Leslie Smith, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School commandant, to the winners.
Linda Pressley, U.S. Army
Military Police School Training Management Division chief, won Civilian of the Year.
The servicemembers of the year were announced next. The results of the servicemember competition were kept so secret, the competitors did not know who was chosen until they were all on stage and the winner was read.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Gloria Harrison, 336th Training Squadron, Detachment 7, won Joint Service Soldier of the Year.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Luke McGlone, 336th Training Squadron, Detachment 7, won Joint Service Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Spc. Wesley Henderson, 399th Army Band, won Solder of the Year.
Staff Sgt. Leon Butler, 399th Army Band, won Noncommissioned
Officer of the Year.
Sgt. 1st Class Reggie Hall, Company A, 169th Engineer Battalion, won Advanced Individual Training Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. 2009 is the first year the competition included this category.
Staff Sgt. James Barrett, Company A, 795th Military Police Battalion, won Drill Sergeant of the Year.
The winners earned an Army Commendation Medal, certificates of achievement and coins. The non-Joint winners will compete at the next-higher level this year.
Smith spoke to the 399th Army Band during his speech, commenting on how they won both Soldier and NCO of the Year.
"First Sergeant, I don't know what you're feeding them," Smith said, "but keep feeding them what you're feeding them."
Barrett shared his thoughts on winning.
"It's overwhelming to win," he said. "It's like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
By winning the 2009 Drill Sergeant of the Year, Barrett will leave his unit and replace Staff Sgt. Leslie Ledding, 2008 Drill Sergeant of the Year, in the Manuever Support Center.
"It's bittersweet (winning the competition)," Barrett said. "You go to be a drill sergeant to train Soldiers. I'll still be out and about."
Butler shared how he felt after the competition was over and he found out he won.
"It feels good, but competing with the great caliber of guys this week makes me want to prepare even more for the next level," he said.
(Editor's note: Erickson is a photojournalist with the Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON.)
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