FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq - A day in what took almost a year in the making, Noncommissioned officers and Soldiers competed to take home the title of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division NCO and Soldier of the Year, Nov. 6.
The five competitors, who won NCO and Soldier of the Quarter competitions during the year put their skills to the test during a day of grueling competition.
The competition began with a road march in full gear to a firing range, where Soldiers performed reflexive fire, which involved firing weapons from different positions while walking.
Following the range, Soldiers were rotated through a round-robin of events to test their knowledge on automatic weapons, communications equipment, casualty treatment and evacuation, and searching detainees.
After a short break, the final portion of the competition was held. The ever nerve-wracking board appearance had NCOs answering a myriad of questions on military knowledge, from basic rifle marksmanship, troop leading procedures, and first aid to U.S. government history.
After tallying the scores the winners were announced.
Sergeant Randall Williams, a Round Rock, Texas, native and wheeled vehicle mechanic with the15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT, was named the Black Jack NCO of the Year.
Sergeant Williams, who serves in Iraq as a member of the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team's personal security detachment, said he had been competing in different boards throughout the year, winning each one along the way to get this far.
He gave much of the credit to his platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Willie Martin, for much of his success.
"I had tremendous support from my NCO support channel in preparing me for this," Sgt. Williams said. "Winning was definitely an honor, because I want to be an example to my Soldiers."
The most difficult portion of the competition for Sgt. Williams was the opening event, in which Soldiers had to run in full gear for a mile and were timed.
"The 1-mile run in gear was brutal," Sgt. Williams said.
The brigade's Soldier of the Year title was bestowed upon Spc. James Shindo, a Buena Park, Calif., native and petroleum supply specialist with 15th BSB, who also serves as a member of Kirkuk's PRT PSD.
Specialist Shindo, who has been to several boards since May, said the previous board appearances prepared him for this day.
"I have been to five boards during this deployment," Spc. Shindo said. "But, the most difficult part of the board isn't performing the tasks or answering questions, it's the personal discipline to take the time to study."
Specialist Shindo also believes this is an important step to becoming an NCO.
"Hopefully, I can take what I've learned and will continue to learn during this process and apply it to the promotion board," Spc. Shindo said.
For Spc. Shindo, the competition wasn't easy, he said, but it reassured him he could do it. "I love the Army."
According to Sgt. Maj. Christopher Frediani, a Pflugerville, Texas, native and an operations sergeant major for 2nd BCT who helped organize the competition, the competition was an opportunity for NCOs and Soldiers to show their best.
"The competition brings out the best in NCOs and Soldiers," Sgt. Maj. Frediani said. "It also allows them to sharpen their skills and set them apart from their peers."
Sergeant Major Frediani said it also gives NCOs confidence in being leaders and prepares junior Soldiers to become NCOs.
A number of questions during the board were focused on U.S. government and the constitution, a topic Sgt. Maj. Frediani feels is essential for a Soldier to understand.
"It's absolutely important for NCOs and Soldiers to know what is behind the constitution and what it is they are defending," he said. "It's not just an oath when we pledge to defend the constitution, knowing why we are defending it is equally important."
Frediani said Spc. Shindo and Sgt. Williams will eventually appear before the 1st Cav. Div. NCO and Soldier of the Year board once the unit returns from deployment, to compete against other brigades in the division.
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