Top Soldier and NCO announced for Third Army

08.31.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
Third Army/U.S. Army Central Public Affairs

FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. - Being named the Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for a military unit can be a momentous event in a Soldier's life.

For six Soldiers, the stress of competing against their peers from subordinate units within Third Army/U.S. Army Central for the title of Third Army Soldier and NCO of the year was something they all strived for. For two Soldiers, the pressure of competing would pay off. At the end of the day, they were able to say they are the best Soldiers in U.S. Army Central.

Sgt. Sadat Allhassan, a native of Bronx, N.Y., and Pfc. Patrick Ray Murphy, a native of Cottage Grove, Minn., emerged as the winners of the 2007 Third Army/USARCENT NCO and Soldier of the Year competition during a ceremony today at Third Army Headquarters on Fort McPherson. The ceremony concluded after four days of back-to-back testing for the six Soldiers involved.

The Soldiers and NCOs competed against one another in events such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, a five-station warrior tasks and drills exercise, day and night land navigation, M16 rifle marksmanship, a written test and a formal military board, where they were evaluated on their appearance, military bearing and knowledge in a number of key areas.

"All the hard work has really paid off but it's not time to relax," said Allhassan, 26, a motor transport operator with 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. "It feels great to win, especially against great competitors."

Murphy added similar sentiments and said this experience will help him as his military career continues.

"This whole experience is definitely a benefit to me as I grow as a Soldier," he said. "When I become an NCO, I will know how to train my Soldiers for this type of event."

In addition to advancing to the next round, Allhassan and Murphy each received a plaque and a host of gifts from various sponsors of the competition.

For Third Army's top enlisted Soldier, Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe, events such as this are a way for both Soldiers and NCOs to grow and improve in their military career, and eventually help improve the Army.

"This gives our NCOs and Soldiers an opportunity to better themselves professionally and separate themselves from their peers in a positive way," said Ashe. "This is a competition, and competition is good because it gives these Soldiers a chance to be sharp. Events like this keep our Army professional."

Despite the fact that the U.S. military has committed the last six years to fighting terrorism abroad, Ashe feels that programs and competitions such as this are still vital to today's fighting force.

"If we don't focus on events like these and this war continues we can come out of the end of this war as a 'hollow' army," he said. "Competition is a great training event and a good chance to develop Soldiers and NCOs."

The other Soldiers who competed were as follows: Staff Sgt. Rennick Beneby, a healthcare specialist, Area Support Group – Kuwait, Camp Arifjan; Staff Sgt. Ralph Blue, the training air and sea NCO in charge with Area Support Group-Qatar; Spc. Iraq Blackledge, a human resources specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, ASG-Qatar; and Pfc. Andrew Linares, a patriot fire control enhanced operator and maintainer, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, at Camp Arifjan.

All the competitors also received signature coins from the Third Army/USARCENT commanding general and command sergeant major and a framed copy of Gen. George Patton's famous speech, among other gifts.

Although Allhassan and Murphy will be representing Third Army/USARCENT at the next level, none of their fellow competitors regret competing in the event.

"I was not worried about winning," said Linares, a native of Allen Park, Mich. "I'm glad I made it this far, and I would definitely want to win this event in the future."

The winners will next compete for the title of Department of the Army NCO and Soldier of the Year at Fort Lee, Va., in October.

• Date Taken: 08.31.2007
• Date Posted: 08.31.2007 11:04
• Story ID: 12089