The Best of the Best
By Sgt James Pernol
Public Affairs NCO, 261st Signal Brigade

The best of the best were on hand for the Soldier and NCO of the Year competition held at Bethany Beach Training Site. Soldiers competed in tests of skills and strength during the annual competition on April 5 and 6.

After all the dust cleared, Pfc. Nathan Siebach, 261st Signal Brigade, and Staff Sgt. Eric Fosty, 3/238th Aviation, were selected to represent the Delaware National Guard at the regional competition.

This year the competition was a little different than in years past as land navigation and a ruck march were added to the competition. There were six Soldiers in the competition: three competed for Soldier of the Year and three for NCO of the Year.

“I really excelled at the ruck march. I was pretty pleased with my results. I feel honored and pleased to represent the state in the regional competition,” said Fosty. “It’s a good event, the competition was great and it was a good experience to go through.”

Soldiers who rank from private to specialist compete for Soldier of the Year, and Soldiers who rank Sergeant or higher (E5 and above) compete for NCO of the year.

Each Soldier had to prove him or herself by obtaining the highest score possible in physical training, M-16 rifle qualifications and by putting into their own words their thoughts on how they live the Army Values in and out of uniform. If that wasn’t enough, each had to answer questions put to them by the sergeants major about everything from Army regulations to combat tactics to current events.

“It’s an honor to know that out of the entire state I’m picked to represent the Delaware National Guard,” said Siebach. “There was a lot put on me with a lot of people looking at me, but it feels good to be acknowledged. Everyone here was the best from their units, so all the Soldiers were really high-speed, and that made it more fun”.

Brig. Gen Terry Wiley, Assistant Adjutant General (Army), spoke with the candidates about the importance of teaching their fellow Soldiers their lessons learned. “Build on this experience and apply what you have learned here in leadership style back in to your units… motivate your soldiers to be the best that they can be.”