| Ohio Army National Guard names Soldier, NCO of the Year |
196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment COLUMBUS, Ohio - Eight Soldiers representing the Ohio Army National Guard’s major subordinate commands competed Feb. 16, in the organization’s Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition at Beightler Armory. Spc. Matthew Barger of the 1191st Engineer Company won Soldier of the Year honors and Staff Sgt. Michael Vondran of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment was named NCO of the Year. “It’s an honor,” Barger said. “There are a lot of great Soldiers in the state.” Vondran credited his mentors, past and present, with partial responsibility for his win. “It is a testament to all my current and former leadership,” he said. The next step for these Soldiers and NCOs is the region four, First Army Soldier and NCO of the Year competitions, which are scheduled for early June at Camp Atterbury, Ind. “I couldn’t be more pleased as the state command sergeant major to represent these Soldiers at the next level of competition,” said Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Gilliam, Ohio’s top enlisted man for Army. The state competition consisted of an Army Physical Fitness Test, Army Warrior Task testing and a review board where senior noncommissioned officers questioned the troops on a wide range of issues including general military knowledge and current events. The Army Warrior Tasks consisted of marksmanship skills, a nine-line medevac (medical evacuation) report, react to an improvised explosive device (IED) and a map-reading exercise. The physical fitness test consisted of push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run, which was held at Defense Supply Center Columbus. Both Barger and Vondran said the physical fitness test was the toughest part of the competition and both said they planned on stepping up their physical fitness training in preparation for the regional board. “To be good on the PT test you have to use the Warrior Ethos,” Barger said. Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Fridley, who conducted the test, said everyone showed a lot of motivation. Each competitor was accompanied by a sponsor—a senior NCO whose role is to guide and support the Soldier throughout the event. “We talk about no Soldier left behind,” Gilliam said. “A sponsor gives the Soldier an extra comfort zone to know that someone is looking out for them.” Master Sgt. Candy Peterson, who conducted overall operations during the event, said the competition is important because it is a great way for Soldiers and NCOs to prove their Army values and leadership skills, and to hone their individual skills. “Every Soldier wants be the best,” Peterson said. Barger has served five years in the Army National Guard, and deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005, supporting the 1st Infantry Division. He is currently enrolled as a student at Ohio University and is enrolled in the state Officer Candidate School. Vondran has served 10 years, including 18 months on active duty at Fort Bliss with the 72nd Military Police Detachment. He said the many boards he did while on active duty helped him out for this competition. Soldier of the Year runners-up were Spc. Travis Tucker of the 585th Military Police Detachment and Spc. Charles Crago of Company F, 128th Support Battalion, who finished with the same point total. Staff Sgt. Chad Baucum of Ravenna Training and Logistics Site, Joint Force Headquarters, was runner-up for NCO of the Year. The other competitors were Spc. Nena Slate of Joint Force Headquarters, Sgt. Amy Molden of the 1487th Transportation Company, and Sgt. Gary Pence of 631st Aviation Support Battalion. “These (Soldiers and NCOs) are the best of the very best of every brigade,” Gilliam said. -30- |
