106th Cavalry Repeats as Top in the Nation

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/27/2015)(readMedia)-- Story by Staff Sgt. Patrick DeGeorge, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois –Troop A 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Pontiac, Illinois won the Draper Armor Leadership Award this year making it the second year in a row that a troop from the battalion has won the award. Last year it was Troop B of Dixon, Illinois. Troop A was presented the award during the annual 106th Cavalry Ball in Bloomington, Illinois March 21.

The award was established in 1924 by Lt. Col. Wickliffe P. Draper to test the leadership of small cavalry units. For the National Guard, the award is divided into six regions. Troop A falls into region five, where it competes against cavalry units from four other brigades.

Lt. Col. Mark Alessia of Sherman, Illinois the Cavalry 106th Battalion Commander sees the repeat of the Draper Award as an affirmation on his belief 106th Soldiers are doing the right thing.

"We have a history of excellence," Alessia said. "This is a great honor to receive this award for a second year in a row."

Sgt. 1st Class Blake Schroedter of Newton, Illinois, a platoon sergeant with Troop A, said the Soldiers create the excellence.

"The squadron has a great backbone of noncommissioned officers," Schroedter said. "That drives our success."

Capt. Andrew Ward of O'Fallon, Illinois, Troop A Commander, said he is honored his troop was selected as this year's recipient.

"It's nice to get this recognition for our hard work," Ward said. "The NCOs are the ones that make this happen though."

The National Guard Bureau also listed Troop A as the top cavalry squadron in the country.

Col. Henry S. Dixon of Chicago, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander, said this is an impressive award.

"This is an outstanding achievement from a unit that is always out front," said Dixon. "The 106th has a reputation of distinguishing themselves above their peers."

Cutline 1: Lt. Col. Mark Alessia (right) of Sherman, Illinois, 2nd Squadron 106th Cavalry Commander, presents the Draper Armor Leadership Award to Capt. Andrew Ward (middle) of O'Fallon, Illinois, Troop A, 2nd Squadron Commander, 106th Cavalry Regiment as 1st Sgt. Christopher Anderson of Springfield, Illinois, Troop A first sergeant looks on March 21 in Bloomington, Illinois. This is the second consecutive year a unit from the 106th Cavalry received the award. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick J. DeGeorge, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Mark Alessia of Sherman, Illinois, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment Commander, presents the Draper Armor Leadership Award to 1st Sgt. Christopher Anderson of Springfield, Illinois, of Troop A 2nd Squadron 106th Cavalry first sergeant. This is the second consecutive year a unit from the 106th Cavalry received this award. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick J. DeGeorge, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)