WIESBADEN, Germany - IMCOM-Europe has named Sgt. (Then-Spc.) David Mendez Fuentes from U.S. Army Wiesbaden and SSG Yadira Aspeitia from USAG Bavaria Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, respectively, for fiscal year 2023. Each was first a quarterly winner, before earning top honors in the annual competition.
Aspeitia has been assigned to the USAG Bavaria since July 2023, as the Housing noncommissioned officer.
“In the short time since her arrival at the garrison, she has made immediate positive impacts to the garrison, not only to the housing division, but to the community as a whole,” according to the award justification.
Instrumental in the establishment and management of the USAG Bavaria area coordinator program, Aspeitia has successfully resolved over 15 complex resident cases, including neighbor disputes, work order issues, and inter-community moves.
“It’s being able to help the Soldiers ensure that where they’re living they can call it an actual home,” she said. “I know for many of them, it’s their first time being overseas and being away from friends and family, so it’s just being able to make them feel comfortable and feel safe and good where they are.
Aspeitia has trained over 100 area coordinators and communicates with them consistently to provide the latest on policy changes or interruptions of services.
Aspeitia’s justification noted that “Her dedication and commitment to this program has built trust within the community and improved the overall quality of life for the residents of the 63 barracks and 3,303 homes.”
She follows a guiding principle from an important mentor, whom she still reaches out to when she needs advice, her former 1st Sgt. David Rivera.
“He would always tell me, ‘Work hard,’ and ‘Do the right thing,” she said.
Mendez Fuentes also quickly points to leaders who helped him become the Soldier and now NCO that he is.
“I’ve learned that a lot about taking on advice. Luckily, I’ve had multiple great leaders, which motivated me to emulate what they taught me,” he said.
Mendez Fuentes is a traffic management collision investigator with the USAG Wiesbaden Military Police.
“Being an MP, I remain professional at all times, minding my P’s and Q’s, always respecting my leadership, knowing the place and time and just performing to the best of my ability.
In addition to providing support to several special events, leading his section for a time singlehandedly, Mendez Fuentes trained approximately 85 Soldiers on new traffic safety systems and also took the initiative to absorb the duties of the noncommissioned officer in charge, according to the justification for his nomination as Soldier of the Year.
Both will receive awards and recognition at the IMCOM-Europe Garrison Leader Working Group.
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