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***image2***Maj. Gen. Yves Fontaine, 21st Theater Sustainment Command commander, announced the 21st TSC’s Soldier and NCO of the Year during an award ceremony and dinner at Vogelweh’s Armstrong’s Club July 18.
The announcement followed a competition held at the Grafenwöhr Training Area,
July 8 to 11. The NCO of the Year honor went to Staff Sgt. Mark Lewis, military police squad leader and shift supervisor, 630th Military Police Company, 793rd MP Battalion. Staff Sgt. Bobbi Manning, 240th Quartermaster Company, 391st CSSB was the runner-up.
Pfc. Jason Hancock, transportation management leader, 1st Cargo Transport Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, was named Soldier of the Year. Spc. Nathan Dunston, 554th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, came in second.
General Fontaine emphasized that the 13 competitors had already achieved their first measure of success simply by participating in the physically and mentally exhausting three-day competition.
“Just to be invited to compete makes everyone a winner,” he said. “These Soldiers and NCOs are the best of the best in their own organization.”
Private Hancock credits the “fun factor” with his win.
“I really enjoy doing these things; all of the Soldiers’ stuff like marches, fire-ranges,
weapons training – all of it,” Private Hancock said. “This is why I joined the Army. Of course, there is some drive and determination on my part, too. Like most Soldiers, I’m trying to progress in my Army career and become a leader.”
***image1***“Believe in yourself and train hard; you’ll be surprised at how far you can go,” Sergeant Lewis said to explain his win. He modestly attributes his success to a “never give up” mentality.
When talking to his supervisor, the picture becomes much more refined.
“Staff Sgt. Lewis is the model for Soldiers in the U.S. Army and a great asset to the MP corps,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Mosier, platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon, 630th MP Co. “He lives Army values every day and sets the best possible example for his Soldiers to reach. He never asks something of them he’s not willing to do himself. He is the prime example of selfless service and dedication.”
The competition pitted the Soldiers against each other in the areas of physical fitness, weapons training, land navigation, combat skills and leadership. They also wrote an essay and faced a board of command sergeants major who evaluated the competitors for military bearing, confidence and knowledge of military topics by
firing a series of fast-paced questions at them.
To prove their physical fitness, the competitors completed sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run, as well as a 12-mile road march in full body armor, wearing a 40-pound rucksack and carrying an M-16 rifle.
Their weapons expertise was tested by firing the M-16A2 rifle, the M9 pistol and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. In addition to marksmanship, they also had to be able to take their weapons apart, reassemble them, explain the inspection steps and do a functions check.
Equipped with a compass and map, they had to locate five points during the day navigation and another four during the night navigation.
The combat skills test required them to follow proper procedures for applying first aid, put a .50 caliber machine gun into operation, throw grenades, set up and use the radio and call for medical evacuation and engage in hand-to-hand combat.
Leadership skills were tested on a Leadership Reaction course, and a mystery task had to be completed. It required the Soldiers to reassemble the mixed up parts of all three weapons – wearing a blindfold.
By the time the winners were announced, it was clear why General Fontaine had called the participants 21st TSC’s the “best of the best.”
“The command sergeants major told me the toughest part was choosing only one Soldier and one NCO, because everyone performed so well,” he said. “We have a fantastic bench of great, great warriors and great leaders. I know our Army, and more importantly, our country, is in great hands with you in charge.”
