This year’s Soldier of the Year winner is Spec. Nathan Hamberg (left), a cavalry scout with A Troop, 1st Battalion, 303rd Cavalry from Edmonds WA. The Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) winner is Sgt. Richard Nolan (right), an information management officer with the HHC 66th Aviation from Port Orchard, WA.

Washington Army National Guard
Selects Best of the Best

Story & photos by Sgt 1st Class Tony Sailer
Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ, Washington National Guard
- Posted Apr. 2008

Seven Guard Soldiers from across the state gathered to compete for the 2008 Soldier / NCO of the Year Competition February 28th at Camp Murray.

The Soldier of the Year winner is Spec. Nathan Hamberg, a cavalry scout with A Troop, 1st Battalion, 303rd Cavalry from Edmonds WA. The Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) winner is Sgt. Richard Nolan, an information management officer with the HHC 66th Aviation from Port Orchard, WA.

Each competitor had to zero and qualify with the M16 at the Soldier of the Year Competition.

The weekend trials began Thursday evening with the issuance of essay topics that each participant would write about. The junior enlisted were asked ‘What qualities they look for in a leader,’ while the NCOs wrote about ‘What they would like the Washington state Department of Veterans affairs to do for soldiers.’

            Friday morning, the competitors completed an Army Physical Fitness Test and weight in. A full afternoon of Warrior Task Training events which included; apply first aid, issue an order, radio operations, gather and report intelligence, identify terrain features, plan convoy operations and employ an M18A1 claymore mine finished out the day.

            Saturday, the Joint Forces Headquarters Small Arms Readiness Training Section conducted range operations where participants completed weapons zero and qualifications for the M-16 rifle. That afternoon the soldiers competed against each other at the Fort Lewis Land Navigation course where they had to find five designated points and after dark, they gathered back at Fort Lewis to compete in night land navigation.

            Sunday morning, essays were turned in and Class A dress uniforms were donned for the oral board examination, which was the final phase. Soldiers were asked a battery of questions, from multiple Army disciplines, by Sergeants Major from units within the state.

Sighting in the M18A1 Claymore mine, Sgt Edgar Gonzalez, HHC, 1-303rd Cavalry, medic from Renton, WA, works through the steps to employ the Claymore mine. Competitors had to employ the mine as well as several other Warrior Training Tasks during the Soldier of the Year Competition.

            Sgt. Major Bruce Smith, Chief Operations Sergeant Major, JFHQ was in charge of conducting this year’s competition and said he was most interested in the participants’ level of motivation and willingness to keep trying. As long as they did not fall out they were still in the race. Smith said that the winners will move on to Region 6 competition in May which will be held in Montana and possibly to Nationals held in Nevada.

            State Sergeant Major CSM Richard Sweeney presided over the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Sweeney said this was the third year of competition and that “This year we had our best turnout ever. We had more competitors than we’ve ever had in the past. These soldiers are indicative of the quality of members of our guard. We’re gathered here to determine who the best warrior soldier is and who is the best warrior leader.”
Sweeney concluded the ceremony by saying, “You are now ambassadors for the Soldier of the Year competition and no matter where you came out in the standings you are a better Soldier for having competed.”