FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (June 9, 2011) " Fort Leavenworth’s Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year are Staff Sgt. Vincent M. Moore, 256th Military Police Company, 40th MP Internment and Resettlement Battalion, and Spc. James Wilson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combined Arms Center, Special Troops Battalion.
The two participated in the post competition May 31 through June 3, with several other Soldiers and noncommissioned officers representing various battalions on post. The competition included weapons qualification, warrior task testing, land navigation, a knowledge assessment board and a physical training test.
Moore and Wilson were named the winners at a ceremony June 3, with Combined Arms Center Command Sgt. Maj. Philip F. Johndrow and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Peter L. Cramer presenting each with an Army Commendation Medal.
“Today is a great day for the fort as we recognize some outstanding Soldiers, some of our very own,” Cramer said.
Winners also received gift certificates and trophies from Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Moore has been in the military four years and seven months. He is a corrections specialist at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks. He is married to Patricia Moore and has three children.
Wilson has been in the military 16 years and 10 months. He is a training NCO for Special Troops Battalion. Wilson said he had some problems in his career and was demoted, but is eager to reset his career and prove himself to his commanders.
Wilson is married to Staff Sgt. Beverly Wilson, Dental Activity, and they have four children.
Johndrow called all of the competitors winners, saying that he competed in many Soldier and NCO of the Year events and rarely won.
“Just competing made me the NCO I am today,” he said. “Just by setting forth and taking the challenge will make you a winner.”
Other competitors included:
• Sgt. Levi T. Arrowood, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Joint Regional Correctional Facility, 705th MP I/R Battalion
• Pfc. Kristy L. Martin, 165th Military Police Company, 705th MP I/R Battalion
• Sgt. Matthew G. McBride, Operations Group Contemporary Operating Environment, Mission Command Training Program
• Sgt. Dana E. Thomas, Medical Department Activity
• Spc. Juhi Yadav, HHC, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, 40th MP I/R Battalion
Most competitors agreed the land navigation course was difficult, because the terrain of the post’s course is hilly, thick with vegetation and unfamiliar to most Soldiers.
Arrowood said he was glad for a reason to hit the books and get a better grasp of “The Soldier’s Comprehensive Study Manual” and Army regulations, which senior NCOs asked competitors about during their knowledge assessment boards.
“It teaches you how to research the materials, and it gets you in the books and learning regulations,” he said.
McBride, a military intelligence NCO working at MCTP, said it was good review of his soldiering skills.
“My mission is to go TDY and help other units deploy,” he said. “So it’s a good refresher for me and the Army, to go back and make sure I can do those skills.”
Moore and Wilson will advance to the Combined Arms Center Soldier and NCO of the Year competition June 13-17, will include Soldiers and NCOs from the centers and schools subordinate to CAC. Winners of the CAC Soldier and NCO of the Year who qualify will continue on to the Training and Doctrine Command Soldier and NCO of the Year competition.
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