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***image1***To understand the motto “Army of One,” look no further than the 21st
Theater Support Command’s 2006 Soldier and NCO of the Year.
Spc. John Emmett, a Reserve Soldier, and Sgt. Michael Maguire, active
duty, captured the respective titles of the Soldier and NCO of the
Year. The 200th Materiel Management Center Soldiers were named winners
during the command’s Soldier Recognition Ceremony June 23 at the
Armstrong Club in Kaiserslautern.
It marks the second consecutive year that one brigade has taken both
titles. The 29th Support Group took those honors last year with Sgt.
James Halog, who went on to win the U.S. Army Europe title, and Staff
Sgt. Cesar Liriano. Sergeant Halog was a private first class at the
time, and Staff sergeant Liriano a sergeant.
Specialist Emmett, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, is the first
Reserve Soldier to compete in the annual contest. He is part of a group
mobilized here for 12 months from the 21st TSC Reserve element in
Indianapolis.
“I am gratified to be able to set an example for other Reserve
Soldiers, who are no different than any person proudly wearing this
uniform and patch,”
Specialist Emmett said. “It is extremely gratifying to have shown that
we are truly an ‘Army of One,’ and there is no distinction between us.”
***image2***After being nipped by Sergeant Halog in last year’s Soldier of the Year
competition, Sergeant Maguire, 1-214th Aviation Regiment, knew it would
take more effort to unseat him and outdistance the other NCOs this
year. He said all of the training has been worth it.
“I know most of the Soldiers who competed, and they’re all squared
away,” Sergeant Maguire said. “I couldn’t have won without the
support from my leadership at all levels.”
Both Specialist Emmett and Sergeant Maguire will represent the 21st TSC in the upcoming USAREUR-level contest.
They will again compete against Soldiers in tasks like day and night
land navigation, a 15-kilometer ruckmarch, and weapons qualification.
The Soldier and NCO of the Year were not the only big winners at the ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Phillip Thorpe, 21st TSC deputy commander, and Command Sgt
Maj. Jerry Reid, 21st TSC command sergeant major, recognized the
following Soldiers for their outstanding achievements: Company Grade
Officer of the Year – Capt. Jennifer E. French, 2- 502 Aviation
Regiment; Junior Warrant Officer of the Year – Warrant Officer 2 Jose
J. Martinez, 5th Quartermaster Detachment; USAREUR Broadcaster of the
Year – Sgt. Christopher Higginbotham, HHC, 21st Troop Support
Battalion; Sergeant Morales Inductees – Sgt. 1st Class William
Funcheon, 39th Transportation Battalion, Staff Sgt (P). Luis
Olmo-Jimenez, 37th Transportation Battalion, and Staff Sgt. Isaac
Rivera-Ortiz, 21st Troop Support Battalion.The runners-up for the
Soldier and NCO of the Year are: Spc. Deangelo Johnson and Sgt. Michael
Bolton of 1st Transportation Movement Control Agency, Pfc. Christopher
Henry and Sgt. Matthew Wickboldt of 18th Military Police Brigade, Spc.
Jonathan Ryall and Sgt. Halog of 29th Support Group, and Spc. Robert
Collins and Staff Sgt. Urbina of 37th Transportation Command.
