LRMC specialist receives Soldier of Year 2004 award

Spc. Todd Goodman
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center


***image1***Spc. Gurusahai Good was named Medical Command’s Soldier of the Year May 20 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, after a grueling 48 hour competition against MEDCOM Soldiers from around the world.
“I was so happy,” she said. “My family was there, and I was really proud because the NCOs put so much time into my training. I wanted to do them justice and put their knowledge and training to good use.”
The competition demanded stamina, fitness, marksmanship, knowledge and the ability to eloquently get a point across to a panel of senior NCOs. For Specialist Good, it appeared as if it was all too easy.
Charlie Company 1st Sgt. Stoney Crump said, “She set precedents from day one. Her candor and mannerisms just set her apart. She put it together and really brought it home.”
“I am really happy to bring a victory to Landstuhl,” said Specialist Good. “I wanted the Soldiers here to have a good representative. I like to think I am the kind of Soldier who is here at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.”
There was, however, a lot of work that went into getting her from the LRMC level to the MEDCOM level. Instead of traveling to the mountains for some snowboarding, the Colorado native opted to read a field manual.
“She is a total Soldier,” said First Sergeant Crump. “I don’t use the term ‘Soldier’ loosely, but that is what she is. No matter how difficult a task may be, she just says ‘Hooah,’ and gets it done.”
“She is an exceptional Soldier, well-rounded both physically and mentally,” said Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Layton. “She is like a sponge. She just absorbs knowledge.”
Sure there was a lot of studying involved, but the studying paid off for her — in the form of two $1,000 savings bonds, $800 cash, an NCO sword, a Meritorious Service Medal, numerous plaques and Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift certificates.
Next up for Specialist Good is the Army-wide competition, which will be held Septem-ber in Wash-ington D.C. A daunting task, but one she said she can handle.
“I enjoy the Army,” she said. “It’s fun to challenge yourself. It’s fun to see how much you can accomplish.”