JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Army
Soldiers assigned to the 128th Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis participated
in a week-long NCO and Advanced Individual Training Platoon Sergeant of the
Year Competition, March 6 through March 9, 2017.
The
competition was designed to test different skills that are expected of every
Soldier in the U.S. Army, regardless of their rank or profession.
Throughout
the competition, Soldiers were tested in various ways.
They
completed a 12-mile road march, fitness tests, written exams and performed close-quarter
combat in a simulated wartime environment, which kept competitors mentally and
physically challenged.
“This
competition tests for a leader, an NCO who Soldiers will look to downrange or in
garrison, for motivation to push through any obstacle in their way,” said U.S.
Army Staff Sgt. Randolph Allen III, Charlie Company, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th
Aviation Brigade instructor and obstacle course NCO in charge. “Soldiers are
most likely to follow an NCO who is able to maneuver through obstacles and push
their way through, regardless of the situation.”
In both
battlefield scenarios and in the classroom, competitors were graded based on
their technique, teamwork and professionalism throughout the competition.
“Being in
aviation, we don’t get to do a lot of boots on the ground type of training or
missions,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mathew Johnson, Charlie Co., 210th
Aviation Reg., 128th Avn. Bde., instructor and NCO of the year competitor. “However,
in any downed aircraft scenario, this type of training is absolutely what we
need and it’s really good to reinforce these skills occasionally.”
After
earning the title of Platoon Sergeant of the Quarter, U.S. Army Staff Sgt.
Brittany Barfield, Delta Co., 222nd Aviation Reg., 128th Avn. Bde. platoon
sergeant, was also able to participate in the Advanced Individual Training
Platoon Sergeant of the Year Competition. Barfield used this competition to
gauge the skills she needs to brush up on in order to perform as a top-notch
Soldier, in everyday life.
Eight
Soldiers from JBLE and installations across the country competed for the title
of NCO of the Year for the 128th Avn. Bde. The winners will move on to compete
in the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s competition at Fort Rucker,
Ala. Soldiers who win at Fort Rucker will compete at the U.S. Army Training and
Doctrine Command to gain the title of Soldier of the Year.
Johnson and Barfield will
represent the 128th Aviation Brigade at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence’s competition at Fort Rucker, Ala.