Indiana Army National Guard Recognizes It's Finest

By Sgt. Michael Krieg

On Sunday, May 4, seven of the Indiana National Guard's sharpest and most disciplined young Soldiers sat anxiously around a table in the Maj. Gen. Charles Whitaker Auditorium of the Indiana Military Academy at Camp Atterbury.

This was a focal point of weeks of intense preparation and testing that had finally come down to a moment of truth. These Guardsmen, along with their sponsors, represented the best of the best from all of the major commands around the state of Indiana and it was now time for State Command Sgt. Maj. James Brown to announce the winners of each category.

The event was the annual awards ceremony for the Indiana Army National Guard's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition. This event, sponsored by the Office of The Adjutant General and the State Command Sergeant Major, recognizes the tireless efforts of the Indiana National Guard to challenge the Soldiers to strive for excellence.

During the Indiana Army National Guard's State Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer competition held in the Indiana Military Academy at Camp Atterbury, Ind., on May 4, 2008, State Command Sgt, Maj. James Brown presents Sgt. Zolton Szabo with the NCO of the Year award. Photo by Sgt. Michael Krieg, Indiana National Guard

The Soldiers were judged and graded in many areas of Army training, consisting of a physical fitness test, a written exam, an essay, hands-on warrior tasks, M16 rifle qualification, land navigation, personal appearance and an eight-mile Road March.

Brown took the stage and congratulated all of the participants for their volunteer service and commitment to the competition. As he announced the winners, one by one, the Soldiers proudly made their way to the front of the room, amidst the applause and ovations from their peers, to receive their awards.

During the Indiana Army National Guard's State Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer competition held in the Indiana Military Academy at Camp Atterbury, Ind., on May 4, 2008, State Command Sgt. Maj. James Brown presents Spc. Richard Codd with the Soldier of the Year award. Photo by Sgt. Michael Krieg, Indiana National Guard

The winner, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, was Sgt. Zolton Szabo, 713th Engineer Company (SAPPER); runner up was Staff Sgt. Nicholas Barlow, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 219th Battlefield Surveillance Battalion.

Winner of the Soldier of the Year award was Spec. Richard Codd, Detachment 2, 165th Quartermaster, 2nd Battalion, 152nd Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron.; runner up was Spc Brandon Bowman, Company C, 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment.

State Command Sgt. Maj. James Brown poses with the four finalists of the Indiana Army National Guard's State Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer competition held in the Indiana Military Academy at Camp Atterbury, Ind., on May 4, 2008. From left to right: Sgt. Zolton Szabo, NCO of the year, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Barlow, NCO of the Year Runner-Up, State Command Sgt. Maj. James Brown, Spc. Richard Codd, Soldier of the Year, and Spc. Brandon Bowman, Soldier of the Year Runner-Up. Photo by Sgt. Michael Krieg, Indiana National Guard

Winners of this competition advance to the Region 4 competition to be hosted by the Ohio Army National Guard at Camp Atterbury, June 4-8. The difficulty of this next round of competition will be elevated to include three additional events: the Combat Water Survival Test, the Obstacle Course and finally, the Combatives event which will consist of grappling, boxing and pugo sticks.

Said Brown, "This competition is not for the faint of heart and only the best Soldier and NCO will prevail and move on to the next level of competition at Fort Benning, Ga., in August of this year."

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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