All it takes is a little HOOAH...and a whole lot of skill

Courtesy Photo | CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Sgt. 1st Class Jason H. Alexander demonstrates how to perform a fireman's carry with Sgt. Julian De Jesus, Aug. 10, at the Camp Arfijan Troop Medical Clinic. Alexander was recently named the FORSCOM NCO (Forces Command Non-Commissioned Officer) of the Year. He is also the Third Army NCO of the Year.  

ARJIFAN, KUWAIT

08.15.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Patrick Moes 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Patrick N. Moes
Desert Voice Assistant Editor

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - "Do as I do, not as I say," these are the words Sgt. 1st Class Jason H. Alexander lives by as the Camp Arifjan Troop Medical Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge.

Alexander, a Third Army medical specialist, recently was named as the Forces Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year at a ceremony August 3 at Fort Hood, Texas.

The title was earned at a five-day event, hosted by Third Corps, which matched the very best NCOs and Soldiers FORSCOM has to offer against each other to determine who the best was.

The competition started with a weigh-in. The next day the competitors conducted an Army Physical Fitness Test, followed by a day and night land navigation course. Then the NCOs and Soldiers were tested on an oral board, warrior task lanes, a written test, an essay and a M16 weapons qualification, said Alexander.

"What makes the winner, the winner, is whoever maintains the highest standard throughout the whole week," said Alexander. "The minute you don't do one of those things is when someone else just beats you."

Alexander continued by saying "you've got to score 290 to 300 on your APFT; you've got to shoot expert on the rifle just to stay competitive."

The competition concluded with board members consisting of command sergeants major from the major commands within FORSCOM. The Upper Darby, Pa. native said it was a little easier because of his rank to deal with the board stress due to being around senior noncommissioned officers on a regular basis. He also added that being a Sergeant Audie Murphy Club member helped prepare him for the board; however, a small amount of intimidation was still there. "You are always going to be intimidated, especially knowing the night before I was up by a few points," Alexander concluded.

The confident NCO said he "had been through a lot of boards earlier in his career but had never achieved that goal of being the Soldier or NCO of the month or quarter." Alexander continued by saying he had went to approximately 30 boards in his first five years at Fort Hood but never won one.

Starting back in April, the medic was asked to compete at the Area Support Group – Kuwait NCO of the Year board by his senior leadership. "It's my last hoorah to see if I could actually do this," Alexander said referring to the ASG - Kuwait board.

After exceeding his expectations, Alexander went on to win the ASG – Kuwait board as well as the Third Army board held in early July. "It's just a huge honor to be the Third Army NCO of the Year," Alexander said.

"I knew that was a dream of his, he made it, he did it," said Staff. Sgt. Sharaell Williams, the TMC assistant NCOIC.

Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Middleton, ASG – Kuwait command sergeant major, said he told Alexander "When you go, go to kill (referring to the NCO of the Year board)."

"I still like to show my Soldiers, hey I might be a sergeant first class, but I can still maintain those standards they taught me at Basic Training," said the 29-year-old. Alexander added that Soldiers see that stuff (referring to winning the NCO of the Year boards) and it motivates them.

Alexander's belief in the Army's values has motivated him toward his NCO leadership abilities as well. "You have to believe in the Army values, if you don't, your Soldiers can see it and they know it," he said. "Soldiers can tell when you're discussing Army values or by the actions you do that you truly embody those values and really do believe in them."

Williams said Alexander brings the Army's values into his leadership style. "He always speaks up with respect to values regardless of the rank," she added.

Alexander will live by the Army's values as he prepares for the next board the first week of October. He said his main concentration will be on physical training. In addition to the physical aspect, Alexander said he will be studying more current situational doctrine. This will include: convoy and detainee operations and reacting to improvised explosive devices.

The Best Warrior Competition will be very challenging according to Alexander. He said he has heard the competition compared to the Best Ranger competition held annually at Fort Benning, Ga. The winner will be announced at the Association of the United States Army sergeant major luncheon hosted by Sergeant Major of the Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston.

"They have given me that honor (referring to the Third Army and FORSCOM titles as NCO of the Year)," Alexander said. "I hope to represent the organization well for the next year."

• Date Taken: 08.15.2006
• Date Posted: 08.15.2006 11:55
• Story ID: 7445
• Location: ARJIFAN, KW