The honor of representing the 10th Mountain Division in competition is not given – it’s earned. This week, the division’s most elite noncommissioned officers and Soldiers will battle for the titles of NCO and Soldier of the Year in a rigorous two-day competition.
The event pushes competitors to their mental, physical, and professional limits, serving as a true test of their readiness, resilience, and expertise.
“Competitions like this are important to develop Army leaders,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Flynn, one of the competition graders assigned to Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. “It shows the drive to succeed, to win, to be able to stand out as the person who should lead Soldiers.”
The competition is structured around four major events: an expert physical fitness assessment, a stress shoot, a written exam, and a culminating formal board.
The EPFA includes eight demanding events: a one-mile run, dead-stop push ups, a 100-meter sprint, sandbag lifts, a 50-meter farmer’s carry, a 25-meter high crawl, a 25-meter three to five second rush, and a final one-mile run. This portion of the competition is designed to simulate the physically taxing conditions of combat, pushing Soldiers past fatigue to evaluate their strength, stamina, and combat readiness.
A 30-minute written exam then tests competitors’ knowledge of Army doctrine, history, regulations, and situational decision-making. From rules of engagement to leadership theory, Soldiers are expected to know their craft inside and out.
The final and most scrutinizing challenge, the board, is a formal assessment by senior NCOs and leaders from across the division. Soldiers are judged on military bearing, uniform appearance, communication skills, and professional knowledge. The board not only tests competitors on what they know, but how they carry themselves under pressure.
“I hope my performance encourages other Soldiers to take the opportunity to show their skills, better themselves, and push themselves to the limit,” Said Sgt. Ethan Marceaux, the 2025 10TH MTN DIV (LI) NCO of the Year, assigned to 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10TH MTN DIV (LI).
Participation in the competition is considered an honor in itself. Each battalion sends its top NCO and junior Soldier to compete — individuals who have already prevailed at lower levels of competition. Beyond individual recognition, the competition reinforces the Army’s commitment to excellence in leadership and readiness.
“To win the title of 10th Mountain Division Soldier of the Year means so much to me,” Said Pfc. Jeremiah Huff, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 10th Mountain Division Artillery. “I always try to ensure that I’m doing the right thing, and winning this gives me a lot of self-pride and confidence.”
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