TRADOC hosts first Platoon Sergeant of the Year competition

By Ray Harp (TRADOC Public Affairs)August 27, 2009

TRADOC hosts first Platoon Sergeant of the Year competition
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MONROE, Va. -- The Army's top 13 Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Platoon Sergeants from across the nation will gather here Sept. 1-3 to compete for the title of the first AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year.

The competition begins Sept. 1. Candidates will be tested on their knowledge of Soldier tasks, how they teach those tasks to new trainees, and Warrior Skill Tasks.

The selection process will conclude with each candidate appearing before a board of senior command sergeants major to answer questions on leadership and training.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, headquartered at Fort Monroe, will host an awards ceremony to announce the winner Sept. 3 at 11:30 a.m., at the post's historic Casemate Museum. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Platoon sergeants are top-quality, professional noncommissioned officers (NCOs) from virtually all branches of the Army. Their role is to turn citizens into Soldiers. During every recruit's AIT phase of initial entry training, these NCOs set the tone for their entire military career. Currently there are approximately over 700 Army platoon sergeants serving at 24 AIT schools and training centers. Each year, TRADOC trains over 560,000 Soldiers. Platoon sergeants play a critical role in the success of this training and have a direct impact on the readiness of the entire U.S. Army.

To learn about the 2009 Platoon Sergeant of the Year competitors, go here: http://www.tradoc.army.mil/pao/Web_specials/AIT%20Platoon%20Sgt%20of%20the%20Year/index.htm

Related Links:

VIDEO: Platoon Sergeant of the Year, day 1

The 2009 Platoon Sergeant of the Year Competition