http://news.soc.mil/releases/News Archive/2009/April/090424-03.html
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (USASOC News Service, April 24, 2009) – Single digit point totals separated the top and runner-up selections for the 2009 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition.
Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Barner, aircraft armament systems NCO with 1st Bn., 160th SOAR(A), was named NCO of the Year; and Spc. David G. Crews, Jr., a Chinook helicopter crew chief with 2nd Bn., 160th SOAR(A), was named Soldier of the Year.
“All of these competitors represent not only the best our regiment has to offer but the very best our nation has to offer,” said Regiment Command Sgt. Maj. Jake Elliott. “You all did a tremendous job and I commend you for your performance.”
The competition is designed to test the whole Soldier, Elliott explained. Each event is designed to test a different skill set, from Warrior tasks to decision making and professional knowledge.
“Each of you is now a better Soldier from your experience this week,” he told the competitors. “Take what you have learned back to you units, share it with all of your Soldiers and continue to make the Army better.”
Soldiers were evaluated in multiple categories. Warrior tasks included radio operation, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear gear, weapons qualification, first aid and security check point operations. The mystery event, which remains unknown to participants until the challenge, was a simulated vehicle roll-over egress drill.
To round out the competition, each Night Stalker took a written exam, wrote an essay on what defines a Night Stalker and participated in an oral board with the regiment’s sergeants major.
Barner and Crews will compete in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command competition in June for the opportunity to compete for the Army level titles.
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (USASOC News Service, April 24, 2009) – Single digit point totals separated the top and runner-up selections for the 2009 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition.
Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Barner, aircraft armament systems NCO with 1st Bn., 160th SOAR(A), was named NCO of the Year; and Spc. David G. Crews, Jr., a Chinook helicopter crew chief with 2nd Bn., 160th SOAR(A), was named Soldier of the Year.
“All of these competitors represent not only the best our regiment has to offer but the very best our nation has to offer,” said Regiment Command Sgt. Maj. Jake Elliott. “You all did a tremendous job and I commend you for your performance.”
The competition is designed to test the whole Soldier, Elliott explained. Each event is designed to test a different skill set, from Warrior tasks to decision making and professional knowledge.
“Each of you is now a better Soldier from your experience this week,” he told the competitors. “Take what you have learned back to you units, share it with all of your Soldiers and continue to make the Army better.”
Soldiers were evaluated in multiple categories. Warrior tasks included radio operation, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear gear, weapons qualification, first aid and security check point operations. The mystery event, which remains unknown to participants until the challenge, was a simulated vehicle roll-over egress drill.
To round out the competition, each Night Stalker took a written exam, wrote an essay on what defines a Night Stalker and participated in an oral board with the regiment’s sergeants major.
Barner and Crews will compete in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command competition in June for the opportunity to compete for the Army level titles.
Sgt. Ashton Ace, from the 2nd Bn. at Fort Campbell, Ky., demonstrates his knowledge of the M-240 machine gun for the Warrior task testing portion of the 2009 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition at Fort Campbell April 21. (Photo by Kimberly Tiscione, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Public Affairs)
Spc. James Orlando, from the 3rd Bn. at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., focuses on radio operation for the Warrior task testing portion of the 2009 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition at Fort Campbell April 21. (Photo by Kimberly Tiscione, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Public Affairs)
Sgt. Lars Okmark, from the Headquarters, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), at Fort Campbell, Ky., dons protective gear for the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear Warrior task testing portion of the 2009 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition at Fort Campbell April 21. (Photo by Kimberly Tiscione, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Public Affairs)