FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Sgt. Jacquelyn Waddell doesn't back down from a challenge. And, she lives by the NCO Creed and Army core values every day.
She proved her mettle recently by getting the highest score on the NCO of the Year Board, securing her title of Fort Eustis' NCO of the Year for 2011.
Waddell competed at boards with other NCOs of the Quarter in 2011, solidifying her win after fourth-quarter oral finals in front of a board of sergeants major and first sergeants in November. If you win a monthly board, you are eligible to take the quarter boards at your unit level. If you win a quarter board at your unit level, you're eligible to compete on the post for NCO of the Quarter. And, if you win one of those, you can go on to compete for the post's NCO of the Year.
Waddell, who is in charge of fixing all medical equipment at the McDonald Army Health Center clinics and at Fort Story, said the boards aren't just about answering questions. It's also about your work with Soldiers and in the community.
"It's important to seek self-improvement and to look after my Soldiers and to make sure they're developing as well," Waddell, with USA MEDDAC Fort Eustis, said.
Waddell is involved in Kids Move - a program at the health center's pediatric department helping overweight children get more active and healthier, the NCO Call, where other NCOs voice concerns and issues once a month, and with encouraging those who need a push to pass their physical fitness tests.
The Fayetteville, N.C., native joined the Army in March 2005 and has been stationed at Fort Eustis for almost two years. She's married to Jacob Waddell, former Army human resources specialist, and they have a son, Brett, 14.
As the shop foreman at the medical center with four Soldiers that answer to her, Waddell faces challenges every day. They fix everything from examination beds or chairs to defibrillators, X-ray machines and blood-pressure monitors.
"I'm not scared to take a challenge," Waddell said. "I'm very motivated and I think honor and respect is important."
She's not stopping there.
Waddell is finishing her associate's degree online in arts and plans to earn her bachelor's degree in biomedical equipment technology -- a degree that will help her in the field she's in now.
She wants to take the Advanced Leadership Course in San Antonio, to help her reach the rank of staff sergeant. She sees sergeant major in her future with the Army, and maybe a master's and doctorate degree.
"I love school; I love learning and continuing as far as I can," she said.