(photo by Michael Norris)
Fort Myer Military Community Garrison Commander Col. Laura Richardson recognizes Staff Sgt. Jason Seifert of the Old Guard as NCO of the Year at a ceremony Wednesday.
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An awards and recognition ceremony acknowledging the Fort Myer Military Community Soldier of the Year, the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and the winners in those positions for the third and fourth quarters was held at the Community Recreation Center Wednesday.
Lisa Webb, a human resources specialist, served as master of ceremonies. She highlighted the qualities that make exceptional Soldiers and NCOs and introduced Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Jefferson Varner III.
‘‘When you think about the Soldier and NCO of the Year you don’t know the volume of the responses you get,” Varner said, explaining how in addition to their military expertise, the people being honored that day often had the additional duties of heading up families and going to school. The awards being presented today, he said, are an attempt to recognize them.
Varner’s comments segued into a short video called ‘‘I Am the Sergeant,” which chronicled the role of the NCO — ‘‘a leader of Soldiers and the backbone of the Army” — from the Battle of Bull Run to Desert Storm.
Webb said the Soldier and NCO of the Year must demonstrate their proficiency in such areas as leadership, military knowledge, common skills, physical readiness, land navigation and other aptitudes.
Staff Sgt. Jason Seifert of The Old Guard’s Alpha Company was recognized as NCO of the 3rd Quarter and NCO of the Year while Spc. Roxana Martinez of the 289th MP Company was lauded as Soldier of the 4th Quarter and Soldier of the Year. In addition, Sgt. Matthew O’Brien was recognized as NCO of the 4th Quarter and Spc. Stephen Lester as Soldier of the 3rd Quarter. Neither Martinez nor O’Brien were available the day of the ceremony. Colleagues from their units accepted awards on their behalf.
Garrison Commander Col. Laura Richardson presented the award to each Soldier and gave the Army Commendation Medal to Seifert and Martinez.
Representatives from the Association of the U.S. Army, GEICO insurance, the Army Air Force Exchange Service, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and the Army Air Force Mutual Aid Association, presented a variety of savings bonds, gift certificates, coupons, complimentary meals to the club system, mugs and tote bags to the winners.
Seifert said being a good NCO had to do with keeping your Soldiers informed, giving them the information they needed to excel. ‘‘They don’t have to do what I say, but they should be willing to listen,” he said.
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