U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Forrest Minahen, 128th Transportation Brigade drill sergeant, leads a formation at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Nov. 22, 2024. Minahen competed in the 2023 and 2024 Aviation Center of Excellence Drill Sergeant of the Year competition, winning the competition two years in a row, fulfilling his dream to excel as a drill sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adisen Smith)
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – For one U.S. Army staff sergeant, becoming a drill sergeant was a longtime passion fueled by his experiences as a young Soldier. Now, two years later, Staff Sgt. Forrest Minahen from the128th Aviation Brigade, is not only living out his dream, but he’s excelling at the highest level. In 2023 and 2024, Minahen was named the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s Drill Sergeant of the Year.
“Honestly, both times I won the USAACE competition, I was shocked,” said Minahen. “I was facing the best drill sergeants in the USAACE, and I knew the results would be super close. After being announced as the winner, I felt a sense of pride because I was the one selected to represent my peers.” ...
