FORT EUSTIS, Va (Sept. 30, 2010) - The Resolute Warriors of the 7th Sustainment Brigade conducted their Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year board Sept. 28 at the brigade's conference room.
The competition was tough for the four NCOs and three Soldiers appearing before the board but only two could be declared the winner.
Sergeant Daniel Troyer, 611th Seaport Operations Company, 6th Transportation Battalion, was selected as the NCO of the Year and Private 1st Class Frieda Miller, Headquarters Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion was selected the Soldier of the Year each representing the best of the best for the brigade that is comprised of 4,200 assigned personnel.
The competition started early in the year beginning with battalion level quarterly boards, from there the winners moved up to brigade level quarterly boards with the final challenge taking place yesterday.
Competitors were graded on all aspects of their Army career to include their military appearance, self-confidence, weapons qualification, their level of Army physical fitness and basic Army knowledge.
Standing before brigade sergeants major and NCOs competitors were grilled on their knowledge of critical Army subjects to include unit history, Army Leadership, Army safety programs, land navigation and current events. The Soldiers were also required to sing the Army song, the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command song and recite the Soldier's Creed as well as the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer. After a grueling set of questions by the president of the board, Command Sgt. Maj. Cedric Thomas, the 7th Sus. Bde. command sergeant major, and his four board members, candidates were also required to give a brief class on a pre-chosen subject.
Troyer, 22, and a native of Westbrookville, N.Y. a squad leader and fuel supply specialist, stood out during the NCO portion of the board with his booming command voice. He could be heard throughout the entire building as he recited the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer. Troyer, a seasoned combat veteran deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was assigned as dismount to the senior scout's vehicle as well as the designated marksman for his platoon. During his deployment Troyer helped his platoon unearth the largest cache of mortar rounds that had been found to date. He was also involved in the rescue attempts of missing Soldiers who had been captured. Being a positive leader and an example for his fellow Soldiers is what Troyer holds high on his priority list.
"I strive to show my Soldiers what they need to be by example, not just words," said Troyer. Soldier resiliency is one of the most important parts of serving in our Army. Having the ability to overcome adversity strengthens not just you but the force as a whole. You only get what you put in."
Miller, 27, is a native Huntington, W. Va., and a brigade paralegal. She was the most junior ranking Soldier among her competitors and strove for success. As the newly selected Soldier of the Year she achieved what she out to do. She enlisted in the Army in March 2009 and upon completion of her Advanced Individual Training was named honor graduate and class values leader. She was also the only Soldier in her class to score a perfect 300 on the Army Physical Fitness Test.
Miller deployed with the brigade to Haiti in February in support of Operation Unified Response. During the class presentation portion of the board Miller presented a block of training on suicide prevention. Using various training tools and class involvement it became evident how seriously Miller takes this critical issue and how much she truly cares for her fellow battle buddies.
"We are all a big family and we need to start acting like it," said Miller. We must keep looking out for our brothers and sisters in arms. One suicide is just one too many."
The road ahead for Troyer and Miller will find them competing at the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command NCO and SOY competition at Fort Knox, Ky., later in the year. The 3rd ESC is the higher headquarters for the 7th Sustainment Brigade.
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Story and photos by Spc. Krista Howell, 7th Sustainment Brigade public affairs. For queries, contact 7th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs at: 757-878-5112 ext. 268. For high-resolution photos and stories by the 7th Sustainment Brigade, please contact the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System by calling (678) 421-6612 or access them online at http://www.dvidshub.net/units/7SB.
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