FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
After months of grueling competition in their home units and installations, the U.S. Army's top six drill sergeants brought their best to Ft. Eustis, Va., for the chance to compete for the honor of Drill Sergeant of the Year during the Army's annual competition, held June 25 to 28.
The Army selected Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Heilman, representing Ft. Jackson, S.C., as the 2012 active-duty Drill Sergeant of the Year; and Staff Sgt. Jarod Moss, representing the 95th Reserve Division as the 2012 Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year.
The winners were announced during a military ceremony at Ft. Eustis, June 29, hosted by Command Sgt. Maj. John R. Calpena and reviewed by Maj. Gen. Bradley W. May, deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Both Drill Sergeants of the Year received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Four active-duty and two Army Reserve drill sergeants were recognized as the Drill Sergeant of the Year for their respective installation or division. Competitors inlcuded: Sgt. 1st Class Adam McQuiston, Ft.
Leonard Wood, Mo.; Staff Sgt. Victor Marquez, Ft. Sill, Okla.; DSOY (active) Heilman; Sgt. 1st Class Cesar Ruiz, Ft. Benning, Ga.; DSOY (reserve) Moss; and Staff Sgt. Danneit Disla, 98th Reserve Division.
The competitors endured physical and mental challenges during the four-day competition, which tested their knowledge of Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills and their ability to teach these tasks to new Soldiers. The selection process concluded with each drill sergeant appearing before a board of command sergeants major to evaluate their knowledge of leadership and drill sergeant training tasks.
Heilman, an eight-year Army veteran, said preparation was key to his success. After being dropped from Army Ranger School due to medical issues, the staff sergeant was unsure he wanted to participate.
However, he cast his doubt aside and trained for the crucible, taking home top honors at each level.
"I'm glad I did a lot of hard work - running, road marching, studying. It was a lot or preparation, but it paid off," he said. "To be the top the drill sergeant, I never expected anything like this."
Moss, who has served as a reserve drill sergeant since 2006, said the competition was a "10 out of 10" in difficulty.
"Carrying that rucksack on the first day, especially when you're not sure where you're going, is tough. You don't know how long you're going to be doing it, and when you hit about the two-hour mark, you just feel like your body is going to give out," Moss said. "I don't know if I would've made it without prayer.
"The overall goal is to win the whole thing, and I've made it here and did that," he continued. "It felt great. I look forward to traveling around to talk with and help my fellow drill sergeants."
The active Army Drill Sergeant of the Year will receive the Stephen Ailes Award, initiated in 1969 and named for the Secretary of the Army from 1964 to 1965 who was instrumental in originating the first Drill Sergeant School at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. The Army Reserve winner will receive the Ralph Haines Jr. Award, named for the commander of the Continental Army Command from 1970 to 1972. The awards will be presented in a special ceremony in Washington at a later date.
Drill sergeants are the cornerstone of Army readiness, entrusted with the task of preparing new Soldiers to fight and win the nation's wars. The skill of producing quality Soldiers demands that only the Army's best and brightest can serve as drill sergeants. Approximately 2,000 drill sergeants train 160,000 new Soldiers each year.