Page 10 - Ft. Huachuca Scout 6-26-15

10A The Scout FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015

111th MI Bde. Soldier, Platoon Sergeant of Year
selected, will continue on to TRADOC competiti
pretty good at.” been in the Army for 11 years. “I feel re- our knowledge on pro
Story and photos by Natalie Lakosil Habersham has been in the Army for lieved now that I’m done. The rollercoast- ics and physically and
Staff Writer er is over; good or bad I put out all my fighting dehydration o
13 years. “This is really just an assess- effort.” degree weather, it’s a lo
After four rigorous days of nonstop ment to see where I am as a senior non-
competition, the 111TH Military Intelli- commissioned off icer in the U.S. Army, Wexler offered advice to future com- On the longest day
gence Brigade and U.S. Army Intelligence so I’m primarily looking to identify my petitors after the competition. “Physical were challenged from 4
Center of Excellence Soldier and Platoon strengths and to identify those areas that fitness will be one of the most physical- leaving little time to re
Sergeant of the Year have been selected. I need to improve so that when I go to the ly demanding things you will encounter wake up and start the
next level I will have upped my game a at any given time and … get your Army A lead organizer who w
After a close race, Staff Sgt. Richard little bit,” he added. knowledge up,” he said. competition next year,
Gott, Alpha Company, 309th MI Battal- McConville, Headquar
ion, claimed the title of Soldier of the Habersham fell during the confidence Staff Sgt. Richard Gott, Alpha Com- ters Company, 111th M
Year and Sgt. 1st Class Dimario Haber- course on the first day causing him some pany, 309th MI Bn., who beat out Wexler of [the competitors] h
sham, Bravo Company, 344th MI Bn., pain for the rest of the competition but by one point for the title of Soldier of the vated to compete. They
Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, was remained positive with a smile the whole Year, started the competition saying, “I’m ly hard obstacles and th
announced the winner of Platoon Ser- week. After completing the competition expecting to broaden my knowledge and extremely hot this wee
geant of the Year. on Friday he said, “It was very thorough set the example for my peers back in my quit. They have fough
and challenging but I learned a lot about battalion. The most challenging aspect by hand injuries and falli
Those competing gathered June 15 for a myself as far as what my left and right lim- far will be physical. It’s three days packed quit. It has been amaz
welcome brief and the competition kicked its are. Meaning the things I know how to full of physical and then that plays a part literally given all that t
off June 16, formally ending June 19 with do well and those areas that I need to im- into your non-physical tasks. I am hop-
an awards ceremony at Fitch Auditorium. prove. ing to take away more knowledge about Another lead, Sgt
this competition so I can go back and be a McFadden, HHC, 111
The main events in which the Soldiers “So it was a great effort for preparation trainer and help my peers.” Gott has been “This is a good com
competed included: hand grenade assault a great step and just continuing my own in Army 15 years. help separate them fro
course; confidence course; multiple writ- professional development as a Soldier,” he to be able to push the
ten exams; Army physical fitness test; road said. “Coming to Fort Huachuca was like All competitors seemed to have one ally. The competitors
marches; runs; conditioning drills; uni- learning to run again.” thing in common by the end — that they themselves, and they
form inspections; a formal board; various were happy it was over. “I thought the They have a lot of he
warrior task battle drills; weapons testing; Habersham and a fellow competitor, events were very vast and challenging and strengths and weaknes
obstacle course; day and night land navi- Staff Sgt. Michael Wexler, Alpha Com- I’m so glad it’s over,” Habersham said,
gation; and a combatives tournament. pany, 344th MI Bn., Goodfellow Air Force laughing. “I think more Soldiers need to McConville stated
Base, both struggled adapting to the alti- come out and participate in these types of as these are important
Habersham, Platoon Sergeant of the tude of Fort Huachuca. “My strengths are events because we do become very com- units the opportunity t
Year, shared his thoughts at the beginning going to be my drive and my ambition to fortable after a while when we stay in our best competitors. They
of the competition, stating, “I feel good, I win and my weakness are the physical at- lane so it’s good to branch out from that case the non-commiss
feel like all the events in my military ca- tributes like the altitude because I just ran and identify your strengths and your areas Soldiers who have bee
reer have prepared me for this point and that one-mile and it’s a little tougher than of improvement.” beyond. Gott and Habe
I’m just looking forward to coming out it is to run a mile back in Texas,” Wexler on to the Training and
and doing my absolute best. I think weap- said on the f irst day. After the competition Gott said, “I’m Board competition in A
ons will be my worst because we don’t glad it’s over but it definitely pushes you ber for their chance t
handle weapons as frequently in my unit “We lead Soldiers and it’s kind of a miss physically and mentally. It’s a lot of pres- title at the next higher
as I would like so this will most likely be for me to say ‘push yourself ’ to them if I sure and a lot of stress. We had to show
my weakest event. Anything physical I’m can’t do it myself,” he added. Wexler has

Staff Sgt. Richard Gott, Alpha Company, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, Staff Sgt. Michael Wexler, Alpha Company, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion, Staff Sgt. Richard Gott, Alpha Company,
practices throwing simulator “pineapple” grenades on the hand grenade Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, leads a group of Soldiers during a drill. Battalion, tackles the obstacle course on
assault course as part of the 111TH Military Intelligence Brigade and U.S. The space was confined and he was required to hit eight movements with the 111TH Military Intelligence Brigade and U.S
Army Intelligence Center of Excellence Soldier and Platoon Sergeant of the group as part of the competition. of Excellence Soldier and Platoon Sergea
Year Competition. June 18. Gott was selected as Soldier of