FORT GORDON, Ga. (March 31, 2009) Aca,!" Fort Gordon's noncommissioned officer of the year is carrying on a tradition with passion.
"I am very proud, and I love what I do," says Sgt. 1st Class Katrina Richardson, Company B 447th Signal Battalion.
Through a process of boards and screenings, Richardson has risen from the pack of stellar performers to be selected as Fort Gordon's 2009 NCO of the Year.
Richardson said it was leaders before her that set the framework for her to succeed. "My former 1st Sgt. Ulysses Rayford is actually responsible for encouraging me to go to the boards, and my command sergeant major pushed me as well."
Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Army leaders directed a focus on the critical role of noncommissioned Soldiers and named 2009 as "Year of the Noncommissioned Officer." This initiative was established to recognize the value of NCO Soldiers who set high standards and perform above their peers in the areas of education, leadership, physical and mental fitness.
The Army continually promotes standards based competitions to identify those Soldiers who are striving for outstanding performance levels. The selection process for post NCO takes about a year, during that time Soldiers have to go to multiple boards and compete at different levels such as the Soldier of the Month board, then to Soldier of the Quarter. The next steps after winning post NCO of the Year are the Combined Arms Command Board and then the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command boards.
For Richardson the board process is an added opportunity to make her daily routine better. She says being competent before the boards just show she knows how to do her job. Taking pride in her work is a driving force in her life.
"My day starts at 4:30 a.m. and ends around 7 p.m. on a good day, but anytime I can get out front and lead the way for my Soldiers then that is my proudest moment. For me to win the NCO board and awards shows my Soldiers what they should be doing."
Richardson has been doing a lot. Prior to being the senior platoon sergeant for Company B 447th Sig. Bn. she served as a drill sergeant. She is an active member of the Audie Murphy Club. She is responsible for a group of 359 Soldiers.
Richardson also acts as a liaison between the Soldiers, their platoon sergeants and their chain of command. Her duties and responsibilities do not stop there. She is responsible for making sure that each Soldier has physical fitness training in the morning, attends school during the day, mentoring in the evening and on the spot correction.
Passing on the encouragement that she has received is also important to her. "I have sent five Soldiers to the board and all of them have made it to brigade level," she said. "Two of them have made it to post level. I have also had an NCO under my supervision inducted into the Audie Murphy club," said Richardson.
"It's about doing what I do [leading and training] as an NCO. I enjoy leading the way for my Soldiers and serving as a role model for them."
According to those around her, Richardson is known for being a superior NCO, a mentor, a leader and motivator for all Soldiers. She has set a standard for her Soldiers. Pvt. Anthony Aldridge, Company B 447th Sig. Bn. advanced individual training student said, "It's the best thing to be around someone [Richardson] who is the best. It helps me to live up to the highest standards instead of the usual requirements."
Richardson has been in the Army 11 years, and she has two sons. Her advice to junior Soldiers coming up the ranks is "believe, set your goals and strive for those goals. Use your resources. Find a senior NCO mentor. Get as much civilian and military education as you can."
She said, noncommissioned officers are the backbone of the Army. They lead by example, instruct from experience, take care of Soldiers and uphold and set standards. "This [setting high standards] has been a continuous effort for me. It's a task that I enjoy," said Richardson.
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