With confidence and poise, two Aberdeen Proving Ground Soldiers out-shined their competitors enough to be named the Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year during selection board proceedings April 30.
Sgt. Elizabeth Thompson of the 1st Army Medical Laboratory is the APG NCO of the Year and Spc. Benjamin Salazar of Company B, 22nd Chemical Battalion, is the APG Soldier of the Year.
The candidates, all of whom were previous NCO and Soldier of the month and quarter winners in their respective units, included Sgt. Selinda Rosario, Company B, 22nd Chemical Battalion; Sgt. Robert Bruns, U.S. Army Materiel Command Band and Spc. Daniel Crowfoot, 1st AML.
The selection process began with an early morning Army Physical Fitness Test consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and a 2-mile run. First Sgt. Larry Tyson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, APG Garrison, oversaw the proceedings assisted by Sgts. 1st Class Elwood Veney, and Michael Brickley and Sgt. Harold Hawthorne.
Tyson said that because of the way the garrison is structured, Soldiers who come under different major commands are permitted to compete.
"Every installation must have an NCO and Soldier of the Year, and all of them are Aberdeen Proving Ground Soldiers," he said.
The NCOs who nominated the candidates accompanied them as they faced the physical and mental demands of the day.
"There's no limit to her potential," said Sgt. Kyle Clanton, Thompson's first-line supervisor. "She's highly responsible in the way she handles her job and leads other Soldiers."
"He's almost the perfect Soldier," said Salazar's supervisor, Staff Sgt. Aaron Hammond. "He needs minimal direction and takes complete ownership of every task I give him."
Sgt. Adrian Barnes, 1st AML, said that Crowfoot was not hesitant about testing himself.
"When he wants to go for something, he lets you know it," Barnes said. "He had back surgery and didn't let that stop him. He did outstanding on his PT test which lets you know how hungry he is."
Staff Sgt. Jessica Cho, Company B, 22nd Chemical Battalion, described Rosario as "very dedicated and responsible."
"She understands the concept of leadership," Cho said. "I foresee her progressing well through the ranks."
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Brown said that Bruns, who holds a master's degree and is often called upon to lead the band, is one of the best Soldiers he's served with.
"He takes on responsibilities and conducts himself way above the level of E-5," Brown said. "His ability to lead the organization is on par with the commander."
Sustained by weeks of study and preparation, the candidates exuded confidence before facing the selection board of senior NCOs led by APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro Rodriguez. Board members included Tyson, Sgt. Maj. Juanita Krueger, 1st AML; Sgt. Maj. Osvaldo Ponzo, U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine; and Master Sgt. Gilbert Huerte, 22nd Chemical Battalion.
Rodriguez said that along with the prestige of being named the installation's top Soldiers, the winners are expected to represent APG during various events throughout the year.
"We are looking for the best of the best because they will be the face of Aberdeen Proving Ground," he said.
Dressed in Class A uniforms, candidates reported to the president of the board and answered an array of questions from board members who tested their Soldier skills and knowledge.
Each seemed confident after their board appearance.
"Overall I'm happy with my performance," Thompson said.
Clanton was more excited.
"She was great," he said. "She carried herself well and she answered every question."
Rodriguez congratulated the candidates and said they were the sharpest group he's seen during his time as garrison command sergeant major. Although a non-voting member of the board, he said he was impressed with the "total package" of all the candidates.
"They had it all," he said. "College degrees, Airborne wings, community service, great records and awards. They were all winners and the installation's cream of the crop.
"I was most impressed with their knowledge," he said of Thompson and Salazar. "They demonstrated that they not only knew the answers, they understood them. I think they'll represent the installation very well."
Thompson and Salazar will be honored with other top service members during the Military Appreciation Week luncheon at Top of the Bay May 21, and they will participate in the Armed Forces Day Army Family Covenant signing and tree dedication May 16.
Sgt. Elizabeth D. Thompson
A native of California, Thompson is a 68K preventive medicine specialist. With just under five years in the Army, she said she wants to fly Army aircraft and is working on her warrant officer
pilot application.
She thanked Clanton and Sgt. Maj. Krueger for their leadership and Crowfoot who she studied with as a team.
"This is all due to the leadership in my unit," she said. I want to thank them for their support and belief in me. I'm ready to represent APG."
Spc. Benjamin U. Salazar
Also a native Californian, Salazar is a 74D chemical operations specialist. His goals include attending Ranger and Air Assault School, obtaining a degree in fire science and becoming a sergeant major.
"I'm very proud I came out a winner," he said. "I'm ready to represent APG and come back next year to compete for NCO of the Year."
He thanked his unit and all of his mentors.
"They've all been very supportive," he said. "My thanks go out to my whole team."
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