Patriots hold 'NCO of the Quarter' competition

Published Jan. 27, 2012
By Sgt. 1st Class Amy Mueller and Sgt. 1st Class Claudine Henry
1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 174th Infantry Brigade held its Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter competition Jan. 17 through 20 here.

The competition focused on Army Warrior Skills. Candidates conducted a timed five-mile road march at 6 a.m. on day one. They then prepped the M136 Anti-armor AT4 weapon system for fire and demonstrated proper operation of the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver.

"We are preparing these NCOs to compete at the division level for NCO of the Year, so we had to make it challenging," said Master Sgt. Pablo Jimenez, Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 174th Infantry Brigade plans and operations noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

The brigade continued the competition with a chin-up competition in full-battle gear, equipped with individual body armor, helmets and weapons. The Soldiers operated the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment and executed 25-meter drags with a 180-pound mock casualty in the afternoon. The day's competition concluded with a timed land-navigation course, in which NCOs had to find four out of five points using compass and terrain association.

"There are several key elements that go into planning a competition at this level," said Jimenez.

The plans and operations section organized land navigation courses, training aids and ammunition support to ensure the competition ran smoothly, said Jimenez.

The second day of competition was centered upon weapons' zero and qualification with the M2 50-caliber heavy machine gun and the M16A2 rifle. The day concluded with each Soldier writing a 500-word essay on the future of the NCO Corps.

Competitors appeared before a panel of senior NCOs of the brigade during the final day. The NCOs asked each Soldier questions ranging from topics about the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Army leadership to basic battle drills and Army programs.

"I wanted to challenge myself and hopefully motivate others to take part in future competitions," said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Kelley, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 174th Infantry Brigade reconnaissance, surveillance, target and acquisition team noncommissioned officer-in-charge. Kelley said he hopes this competition will help prepare him for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Board scheduled for March.

Sgt. Jeffrey Einsig, 3rd Battalion, 309th Training Support Regiment human resources noncommissioned officer, prevailed as the winner of the competition after three days of drills, tasks and physical activities.

"I know if I can do well here, I am better prepared for other boards, like my promotion board next month," said Einsig, who admitted he had little time to prepare and spent several nights cramming with his sponsor. He was at Unit Prevention Leader School earlier in the month.

"This young sergeant had two weeks to get ready, and throughout the competition was unsure of his standing," said Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Johnson, 174th Infantry Brigade command sergeant major. "Little did he know he was winning by a large margin."

Einsig credited his success to his sponsor, Sgt.1st Class Joseph Heaney, 3-309th Regiment human resources noncommissioned officer-in-charge and Einsig's supervisor.

"Having a good sponsor is key," said Einsig.

Heaney not only helped him prepare for the board, but also showed his support by participating in some events with Einsig.

The competition was close between Einsig and Kelley. Einsig also credited Kelley for motivating him along the way.

"Thanks for challenging me," Einsig said to Kelley during his award presentation. "Competition is always good between Soldiers."

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Patriots hold 'NCO of the Quarter' competition