Courtesy Photo | Army Staff Sgt. John Murphy, a member of the 193rd Military Police Company of the...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Army Staff Sgt. John Murphy, a member of the 193rd Military Police Company of the 525th Military Police Battalion deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo was awarded the U.S. Army South's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Oct. 24.
One year, a promotion and five Soldier boards have marked Army Staff Sgt. John Murphy's deployment to JTF GTMO. Recently, his hard work and knowledge paid off when Murphy competed for the U.S. Army South Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and won.
Murphy, a member of the 193rd Military Police Company of the 525th Military Police Battalion, works as an assistant watch commander at one of JTF Guantanamo's detention facilities. After winning the battalion's NCO of the Quarter competition previously, Murphy was eligible to advance to the U.S. Army South level.
The three-day competition, held Oct. 22-24, was a chance for representatives from the major commands of U.S. Army South to show their knowledge and skills. In addition to a formal Soldier board, the competition included portions involving physical fitness, weapons and Army warrior tasks.
"The competition was the most difficult I have seen and definitely a challenge for [all the competitors]," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Rouse, who accompanied Murphy and Army Sgt. Lacretia Dorsey to the competition.
In addition to his studying, Murphy had to recertify as a combat lifesaver and complete a level-one combatives course prior to the competition. Murphy was able to attend the one-week level-one combatives course at Fort Riley, Kan.
The first day of the competition, the Soldiers completed an Army Physical Fitness Test and day and night land navigation courses. On the second day, they completed qualification on an M-16 rifle range and were tested in random warrior tasks, focusing on first aid, nuclear, biological and chemical tasks and weapons knowledge. The third day was the formal board, which was conducted by senior NCOs.
A running tally of points was kept throughout the competition, with Murphy leading each event. Coming into the formal board, Murphy held a 100-point lead on his competitor.
Despite all his success, Murphy also ran into some trouble. While zeroing his M-16 at the rifle range, Murphy was attacked by red ants. While in the field, he had an allergic reaction and had to be given epinephrine twice before passing out. He was able to finish the range, however, and ended up with the best score.
Murphy says his own self-doubt was also a challenge for him. Standing in front of a board comprised of senior NCOs, with combined experience of more than 140 years, was a daunting task.
"You always assume you're not prepared enough," said Murphy. "The board members can tell how much you've prepared in the first 60 seconds and will grill you based on that initial impression."
Murphy felt that the land navigation portion of the competition was his strongest event. He was the only competitor to find any of the points on the day or night course due to the thick underbrush on the course.
"I had to run to finish in time," said Murphy. "But that strong finish early on set me up for success."
With all his recent experience, Murphy has become the go-to guy in the battalion for other Soldiers and junior NCOs preparing for boards.
"SSG Murphy is the best staff sergeant I have ever had the pleasure to work with," said Rouse. "He is the one NCO every Trooper should want to be."
"Be confident. Sweat the small stuff and try to relax as much as possible the day of the competition," said Murphy. "Go in and do your best."
A trip to the mainland was a welcomed treat for Murphy, whose wife came to San Antonio for the last two days of the competition. The two were able to go out to dinner to celebrate after the competition.
"It was a nice little vacation," said Murphy. "It's a privilege to represent the battalion anywhere you go."
Murphy will represent U.S. Army South in the 2010 NCO of the Year competition.
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2009 17:51 |
| Story ID: | 41560 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 389 |
| Downloads: | 248 |
This work, JTF Guantanamo Soldier Awarded NCO of the Quarter, by MSG Blair Heusdens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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