Page 12 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, July 7 2017

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High Desert Warrior July 7, 2017
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15th Sgt. Maj. of the Army attends National Training Center
Non-Commissioned Officer, Soldier of the Year banquet Story/Photo by Jo Garrison
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Fort IrwIn, Calif. — The 15th Sgt. Maj. of the Army (SMA), Daniel A. Dailey, along with Soldiers, family members and civilians gathered at Sandy Basin Community Center to recognize excellence in 2016’s National Training Center (NTC) and U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year and Soldier of the Year during a banquet, June 7.
There were over 300 in attendance who spent the evening socializing and watching highlights of the competition held at NTC, during a banquet to award three Soldiers. Those Soldiers were; Sgt. Alan D. Ibarra-Lepe, NTC and FORSCOM Soldier of the Year, Sgt. (P) Eric A. Cano, NTC NCO of the Year and Staff Sgt. (P) Joseph Gonzalez, FORSCOM NCO of the Year.
“We often forget to take the time to recognize excellence and tonight we will recog- nize three young men,” commented Dailey, “This is more than a dinner at the National TrainingCenter. It’sSoldiernotjustbeingSoldiers,buttryingtobethebestSoldiersthey possiblycan. WespendalotoftimeonSoldiersthataredoingtheoppositeandweoften forget about the great Soldiers that we have that work so hard to make us feel so proud about being their leaders and that’s what these three NCO have done.”
The NCO and Soldier of the Year competition at NTC is conducted in order to identify and recognize outstanding NCOs and Soldiers. Many events were thrown at them to see how the competitors adapted to test them mentally and physically in an effort to show their character and what they are made of.
“The most challenging aspect was not knowing what event to prepare yourself for or what you were going to do. You just had to accept that you did not know, show up with your A-game and perform as best as you could,” said Gonzalez, FORSCOM NCO of the Year.
“Your performance and professionalism brings great credit upon this organization, NTC, as well as FORSCOM, and I can tell you first hand it does for the United States Army. So to each one of you thank you for what you do every day as Soldiers,” Dailey said in closing.
2017 NCO and Soldier of the Year competition will commence early August. The community is invited to attend the closing ceremony on August 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the blue track on the corner of Inner Loop and Barstow road.
From left: National Training Center (NTC) and United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) Soldier of the Year, Sgt. Alan D. Ibarra-Lepe, Petroleum Supply Specialist, with 2nd Transportation Company, 1916th Support Battalion, NTC Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year, Sgt. (P) Eric A. Cano, Military Police Officer, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison at Fort Irwin, and FORSCOM NCO of the Year, Staff Sgt. (P) Joseph Gonzalez, Company Fire Support Observer Coach/Trainer (OC/T ) Panther Team, Operations Group, National Training Center.
Sergeant Major of the Army visits 11th ACR
Army photograph by Sgt. David Edge
Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey greets Troopers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regimentsí Horse Detachment, during his visit to the 11th ACR Horse Stables, during his official visit to the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, June 8, 2017. Dailey visited the 11th ACR and Fort Irwin to meet with Soldiers, their families, and civilians stationed on post, while touring various facilities.
Army photograph by Sgt. David Edge
Troopers assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, discuss various topics during a meal at the Regimental dining facility with Sergeant Major of the Army, Daniel A. Dailey, June 8, 2017. Dailey visited the 11th ACR, the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, to meet with Soldiers, their families, and civilians stationed on post, while touring various facilities.
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil