Special Forces Soldiers
win NCO, Soldier of the Year

By Andrew McIntyre
USASFC PAO

	Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker/USASFC PAO A Special Forces Command Soldier participates in a Stress Shoot event during the 2010 USASFC NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition.

The bright lights of Hendrix Stadium and a cool morning breeze awakened the competitors on the first day of the 2010 United States Army Special Forces Command noncommissioned and Soldier of the Year Competition that took place at Fort Bragg May 3 through 6.

The 2010 winners, Sgt. 1st Class Kai Christensen, 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Carson, Colo. and Spc. Derek Safko, 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, both competed against NCOs and Soldiers from across the five active-duty groups.

“Our goal was to find the Soldier and NCO who will represent the command for the rest of the year,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Mario Vigil, USASFC command sergeant major. “Through multiple events we can assess their strengths and weaknesses and after three days, you can see who will rise to the occasion.”

The competition started with an early morning Army Physical Fitness Test that demands push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run. Soldiers panted and guzzled water vigorously after crossing the finish line.

 Off in a wood line, the competitors demonstrated their warrior tasks and skills in simulated scenarios.  One station required the NCOs and Soldiers to call in a nine-line medical evacuation, while at another they demonstrated the proper way to wire and detonate a claymore mine. The Soldiers were also tested on their medical proficiency to treat a wounded Soldier.

Later that day, the competitors had to navigate through a wooded area to demonstrate their abilities in day and night land navigation.

Tuesday, an oral board review focused on military bearing, general military knowledge and the appearance of the competitors. During the board, they were challenged answering questions ranging from general military knowledge to United States Army traditions.  The judges looked for confidence and zeal in the competitors answers.

In an effort to really push for excellence for the 2010 competition, Vigil requested changes be made to the competition, including a live-fire stress exercise that required the participants to effectively discharge their weapon while maneuvering through obstacles.

This exercise also required the NCOs and Soldiers to fire 9-mm handguns at steel plated circles. The event accounted for time and accuracy to produce the best quantifiable percentage, which went toward the overall score during the competition.

Following the stress exercise, the competitors were tested on their knowledge of level-one modern Army combatives skills, concluding with a single-elimination grappling tournament.
“I like the fact that it (the competition) gave everyone a mental challenge,” said Christensen. “The training was awesome. This opportunity was a great way to represent our group and it was an honor to receive this award.”

Master Sgt. Jon Carte, facilitator of the 2010 NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition, gave insight on the expectations of this year’s event.

“Soldiers that are represented here are considered to be the best of the best from their groups,” Carte said. “They get to showcase their warrior skills and this competition also fosters esprit de corps among the NCOs and Soldiers.”

The winners of the USASOC competition will go on to compete at the Unites States Army NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition later this year.