Sgt. 1st Class John Ortega, a talent manager assigned to U.S. Army Human Resources Command fires a weapon at the range as part of the HRC Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition. The competition consisted of various warrior task and drill events. Ortega was this year’s winner of the competition. VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT KNOX, Ky. — For U.S. Army Human Resources Command Talent Manager Sgt. 1st Class John Ortega, winner of HRC’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition, participating in the event was a chance to get back to the fundamentals of being a Soldier.
“I just love always going back to the basics,” he said. “Shoot, move and communicate — that’s what being a Soldier is all about.”
Despite this being his first time participating in an NCO of the Year competition, Ortega leaned into the multiple-day challenge with confidence and humility. The event tested participants on basic warrior tasks and drills, such as land navigation, ruck marching and shooting at the range.
For Ortega, the ruck march stood out as a highlight.
“Fort Knox has a really nice route. I tracked it on my Strava account, over 1,143 feet of elevation,” he said. “It was a great challenge.”
The most difficult event for him was the board appearance.
“As a sergeant first class, you don’t really put yourself in those positions as much as you should,” he admitted. “It keeps me humble. It puts me in the hot seat, having to sit there and respond to questions from senior leaders.”
Throughout the competition, Ortega drew strength from his teammates and his family.
“We work in a small team of six for my branch, and every single one of my counterparts came out and supported me,” he said. “And of course, my son Lucas was out there too. That meant everything to me.”
From Ecuador to Fort Knox
Ortega was born in Ambato, Ecuador, in 1995. His family immigrated to the United States in 2000, settling first in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.
“From the moment I got to America, I knew I wanted to be in the U.S. Army,” he said. “I joined as soon as I finished high school.”
Ortega is proud to be a first generation American and the first in his family to serve in the military. When he first joined the U.S. Army, he was assigned the military occupational specialty of a power generator repairer.
“They gave me my MOS and I shipped out,” he said. “I then became a citizen during [advanced individual training].”
When not serving as a talent manager, Ortega serves as a maintenance supervisor, a career that’s taken him around the world with many memorable assignments.
“Serving in the 82nd [Airborne Division] as a jumpmaster, probably the coolest and best thing I’ve ever done in my Army career,” he said.
He’s also earned Instructor of the Year honors while assigned to the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Germany.
At HRC, Ortega serves as a career management field human resources talent manager. “I manage all MOSs under the 91 series, but specifically for markets, I focus on sergeant first class [soldiers],” he said. “We’re also responsible for Department of the Army selections for recruiting, drill or special assignments.”
Family, Mentorship and Motivation
Ortega credits his success in the Army to a tight circle of family support.
“My parents, my wife, my son, they’ve always been by my side, no matter what decisions I’ve made,” he said. “They don’t know all the details of what I do, but they appreciate every accolade I bring back home.”
His three sisters have also been an “unconditional support system” throughout his career.
As for what keeps him grounded and motivated day to day, Ortega points to the basics.
“Physical fitness is the foundation of any Soldier,” he said. “I take time every morning for alone time at the gym. That’s how I start every single day.”
Ortega keeps his advice to junior Soldiers simple.
“Stick to the basics,” he said. “Right place, right time, right uniform. Be presentable. Focus on physical fitness. And try every day, not just for yourself but for your team. Every day you’re going to fall short. But every day you have to try.”
He remains committed to the Army and hopes to continue serving for many years to come.
“Whatever I do, I’m going to give it my all — and fulfill whatever responsibilities God, myself and my family have for me,” he said.
Ortega is honored to represent HRC and his fellow Soldiers.
“I’m proud to be here — and proud to give back,” he said.
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