Soldiers earn command honors

***image1***Pfc. James Halog and Sgt. Cesar Liriano were named the 2005 21st Theater Support Command Soldier and NCO of the Year after earning top scores in a grueling competition June 6 to 8 at the Lampertsheim Training Area outside Coleman Barracks, Mannheim.

Both Soldiers represent the 29th Support Group and made a clean sweep of top honors for their unit – the 5th Quartermaster Company. In all, seven Soldiers representing each brigade of the command vied for the title.

“Actually winning is a total surprise, because I know the competition was so tough,” said Private Halog, parachute rigger. “I gave everything I had to represent my unit. This tested me both physically and mentally.”
But, that’s exactly how leaders planned it.

“This is how you find out who is the best of the best,” said 21st TSC Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Reid. “Every unit wants to have the best Soldier or NCO in the organization.”

The competition consisted of eight equally weighed events: a physical fitness test, day and night land navigation, a 10K rucksack march, an M-16A2 qualification, a situational task using the training lane concept, a written exam, and an oral board evaluation. Private Halog and Sergeant Liriano, company training NCO, will represent the command at the U.S. Army Europe-level competition in July.

Although everyone expressed a desire to come out on top in the competition, this group of Soldiers, some of whom are fresh from Initial Entry Training, and others seasoned NCOs, feel they’ve gained more professionally through the tough experience.

“I hope Soldiers don’t see this as just a competition, but as something positive they can do to improve themselves,” said Staff Sgt. Luis Olmo-Jimenez, 9th Military Police Confinement Detachment corrections specialist.

“I entered the competition for the leadership experience,” said Private Halog. “I want to set an example for my peers and superiors, alike, as a disciplined warrior who lives through the warrior ethos.”

They will be recognized in a ceremony Tuesday at Armstrong Community Club on Vogelweh.