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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (June 15, 2009) - "What
you are going to experience in the next couple of days is not going
to be easy," said Sgt. Maj. James Davis, G-3, Third Army/U.S. Army
Central. "But, when you are done, you are going to be better
Soldiers and noncommissioned officers."
Following three days of rigorous events, winners of the 2009
Soldier and NCO of the Year "Best Warrior" Competition, sponsored
by Third Army/USARCENT, were announced during an award ceremony at
the Zone 1 Theater, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 10.
Spc. Andrew Hein, 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Sgt. Alex
Segura, Area Support Group-Kuwait were selected as the 2009 Soldier
and NCO of the Year.
During the competition, the competitors were tested, on their
performance and competence in the Army Physical Fitness Test, basic
rifle marksmanship, urban orienteering course, warrior training
tasks and a personal interview by a selection board.
"Some of the skills and tasked learned here will make them a
better member of their team," said Davis.
Hein, a native of Alpena, Michigan, who was excited about the
outcome of the event, talked about his experience.
"I felt like it was not only a competition, but a training
experience," said Hein. "I learned a lot and did more than I
thought I was capable of."
According to Davis, the competition is even more significant
during the Year of the NCO because everything done, from the
planning, preparation and refinement, was all steered by senior
NCOs.
"That's what we do as NCOs, we train Soldiers," said Davis. "We
train them tough for operational environments and complex
situations, to make sure they can perform under stress."
Segura, a native of Fort Sumner, N.M., explained that
perseverance and drive was key to his success.
"Set goals and push yourself. Once you reach them, you can set
them higher," said Segura. "That's the only way you get better, you
have to break the limits you have already set."
Others competing for Soldier of the Year were Spcs. Xia Lai
Zhou, ASG-Kuwait; Felix Camacho; Third Army/USARCENT; Chyna
Williams, ASG-Qatar; and Sheldon Shorty, 335th Signal Command. NCO
candidates included Staff Sgt. Ria Phillips, ASG-Qatar; Sgts. David
Leakey, 1st TSC; Megan Brunty, CENTCOM; Brandon Lewis, Third
Army/USARCENT; and Charles Ford, 335th Signal Command.
"It is important to recognize that there are young, talented
Soldiers and NCOs who will carry the legacy of the NCO Corps," said
Davis. "This is the future of our NCO Corps."
Hein and Segura will go on to compete at the U.S. Forces
Command-level Soldier and NCO of the Year competition. If
successful, they will move on to the Department of the Army-level
competition.
"It gives my unit the ability to say 'This is our Soldier, we
know that we trained him the best that we could and now he can move
on to do bigger and better things,'" said Segura.
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