Cortland Army National Guard Soldier Heading for National Best Warrior Competition

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Shawn Chapple Will Represent Northeastern States

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New York Army National Guard Sgt. Shawn Chapple

LATHAM, NY (05/19/2011)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Sgt. Shawn Chapple, a Cortland resident, is vying for the title of top sergeant in the 360,000-member Army National Guard.

Chapple was judged best sergeant in the 10,500- member New York Army National Guard in April and then went on to best competitors from seven other northeastern states during a competition held May 10-12 at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Chapple is currently on active duty to prepare his unit, the 107th Military Police Company in Utica, for a deployment to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base later this summer.

"Sgt. Chapple has proven to be an outstanding Soldier and leader," said New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Frank Wicks. "During the competition he clearly rose above the others."

"His ability to prepare for this competition, in addition to preparing for his upcoming deployment is a testament to his dedication and an indicator of his unlimited potential," Wicks added.

Chapple will represent the region in the Army National Guard NCO and Soldier Best Warrior Competition being held Aug. 2-8 at Fort Benning, GA. The winners of that competition go on to compete against representatives from the Active Army and the Army Reserve in October.

"It's an honor to come out ahead at the regional level and compete against such knowledgeable and professional Soldiers," Chapple said. "Being able to set the example as a leader for other Soldiers and making my family proud is an enormous accomplishment."

Each state National Guard picks an enlisted Soldier-in military grades E-1 to E-4-and a junior non-commissioned officer-military grades E-5 and E-6-to participate in the competitions.

Chapple was selected to represent New York over six other Non-Commissioned officers from across the state. Spec. Desiree Powell, a member of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, and a Long Island City resident, was selected as the top enlisted Soldier for the New York Army National Guard.

The winners of the competition were selected for their military knowledge, physical fitness, and scores on military skills testing and marksmanship.

The competition at Camp Smith required the Soldiers to take the Army physical fitness, complete a demanding land navigation course, qualify with the M-4 carbine, and do well on a number of basic military skills like first aid. Soldiers also took part in a "stress shoot" which tests their ability to engage targets accurately in combat conditions. They were also timed in a 10-kilometer (six mile) road march.

In addition to the physical demands and hands-on testing, the Soldiers and non-commissioned officers were quizzed on military regulations and traditions by a board of senior non-commissioned officers.

Preparing for the event involved a lot of studying, Chapple said.

"I carried flashcards with me for whenever I had a spare minute and listed to a study guide CD during the commute to work," Chapple said. "Physical fitness played a major role in the events so I made it a priority to work out daily."

His wife, Amber, along with the senior non-commissioned officers in his unit helped him get ready for the competition, Chapple said.

He and Amber-- who have five month old twin girls named Gabriella and Giulianna-have been married for two years, but they have been together for the last ten years, so she has embraced his military lifestyle. Chapple said.

Chapple, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education, has been in the New York Army National Guard for just under four years and has been an NCO for a year and a half.

Prior to going on duty to support the mobilization of the 107th MP Company, he served as the Fort Drum area coordinator for the New York Military Forces Honor Guard. The Honor Guard provides honors at the funerals of New York Army veterans and took part in more than 10,400 funerals across New York last year.

Chapple's awards include National Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the New York State Exercise Support Ribbon. He was named Brigade Soldier of the Year for the 153rd Troop Command in 2010.

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