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Staff Sgt. Rayan Monis, with the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, stands with senior leaders after being named the winner of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. Monis was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his performance during the grueling 48-hour competition, which tested physical fitness, technical proficiency, leadership and tactical skills. (From left: SATMO commander Col. Thomas Melton, SATMO Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Jones, Monis, and USASAC Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Cordery.) (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Ben Joseph reports to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery, senior enlisted leader, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, during the board portion of the USASAC Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The formal board evaluated competitors’ military bearing, knowledge of Army doctrine and ability to articulate leadership principles under scrutiny. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, performs box jumps during a physical fitness event as part of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. The demanding event tested competitors’ explosive power, endurance and overall physical readiness during the multi-day competition. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, navigates the monkey bars during the obstacle course portion of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The obstacle course tested competitors’ upper body strength, coordination and endurance as part of a comprehensive evaluation of their physical readiness and tactical proficiency. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, executes the swing, stop and jump obstacle during the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The obstacle course challenged competitors’ upper body strength, coordination and confidence as part of a comprehensive evaluation of their physical readiness and tactical proficiency. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, crawls beneath barbed wire during the obstacle course portion of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The physically demanding event tested competitors’ endurance, agility and mental toughness as part of a comprehensive evaluation of their overall readiness and tactical proficiency. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, performs pull-ups during the physical fitness assessment portion of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The multi-day competition tested competitors’ strength, endurance, tactical proficiency and leadership as they vied for the opportunity to represent SATMO and USASAC at the U.S. Army Materiel Command level. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery, senior enlisted leader, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, addresses Soldiers during the USASAC Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition awards ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. Cordery commended the competitors for their professionalism and performance throughout the rigorous 48-hour competition, which tested physical fitness, tactical proficiency, technical knowledge and leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Rayan Monis, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, applies camouflage during a task as part of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The multi-day competition evaluated competitors’ tactical proficiency, attention to detail and ability to perform under pressure across a series of physically and mentally demanding events. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Col. Thomas H. Melton, commander, U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, pins the Army Achievement Medal on Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole during the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition awards ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. Poole earned the award after being named the runner up and alternate following the rigorous 48-hour competition that tested physical fitness, tactical proficiency, technical knowledge and leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Daivon Poole, with the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, stands with senior leaders after being named the runner-up of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. Poole was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his outstanding performance during the demanding 48-hour competition, which evaluated physical fitness, technical competence, leadership and tactical proficiency. (From left: SATMO commander Col. Thomas Melton, SATMO Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Jones, Poole, and USASAC Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Cordery.) (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization pose for a photo following the conclusion of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. The competitors were evaluated during a rigorous 48-hour competition that tested their physical fitness, tactical proficiency, technical knowledge and leadership abilities. The winner will represent SATMO and USASAC at the U.S. Army Materiel Command competition. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Ben Joseph, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, plots his points during the land navigation portion of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The event tested competitors’ map reading, terrain association and problem-solving skills as part of a comprehensive evaluation of their technical proficiency and leadership under pressure. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Rayan Monis, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, plots his points during the land navigation portion of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026.The event evaluated competitors’ map reading, terrain association and problem solving skills as part of a comprehensive assessment of their technical proficiency and leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Staff Sgt. Ben Joseph, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, navigates an obstacle during the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 24, 2026. The demanding event tested competitors’ agility, balance and endurance as part of a comprehensive evaluation of their physical fitness, tactical proficiency and leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
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Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery, senior enlisted leader, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, pins the Army Commendation Medal on Staff Sgt. Rayan Monis, assigned to U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, during the USASAC Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition awards ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2026. Monis earned the award after being named the winner of the rigorous 48-hour competition that tested physical fitness, tactical proficiency, technical knowledge and leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cody Chellman)
(Photo Credit: Maj. Charles Chellman)VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition, hosted by the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, tested the grit, leadership and tactical proficiency of the Army’s top NCOs Feb. 24 to 25 at Fort Bragg.
Competitors faced a demanding slate of events on day one, including the Expert Soldier Badge physical fitness test, a 12-mile foot march, day land navigation, a timed obstacle course and multiple lanes from the Expert Infantry, Soldier, and Field Medical Badges (E3B) test that assessed react to contact and medical evaluation skills. The day concluded with a formal board hosted by USASAC’s Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Cordery.
Day two challenged competitors with another high intensity physical fitness event, combat water survival training and a written essay.
SATMO Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Jones opened the awards ceremony by recognizing the competitors’ endurance.
“These gentlemen went through a rough couple of days, and we are going to award the winner and see who will represent SATMO and USASAC at the AMC (Army Materiel Command) competition,” Jones said.
Staff Sgt. Rayan Monis was named the 2026 USASAC NCO of the Year and received an Army Commendation Medal from Cordery, and he will go on to represent USASAC at the AMC Best Squad Competition.
Staff Sgt. Davion Poole earned runner-up honors and the alternate position for the AMC competition, and he received an Army Achievement Medal from Col. Thomas Melton, SATMO commander.
Staff Sgt. Ben Joseph placed third and received a USASAC coin for excellence.
“It is always great coming to Fort Bragg and SATMO to see the outstanding level of professionalism,” said Cordery. “Watching these three NCOs over the last couple of days absolutely crush this competition is always inspiring to me and reminds me what being a Soldier is about.” He added, “I would put any of the NCOs up against the best NCOs that AMC can find,” and thanked the cadre who coached and mentored the competitors.
Melton praised the NCOs’ leadership, calling them “the living embodiment of the warrior ethos and the Soldier’s Creed,” and said, “There are no winners or losers here today. The real winners are the Soldiers these NCOs will lead in the future.”
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