North Carolina National Guard Holds Soldier of the Year Competition

CAMP BUTNER, N.C. (03/21/2011)(readMedia)-- Hoping to cash in on some of the St. Patrick's Day Irish luck, Soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard participated in the final round of the state's Soldier of the Year competition Mar. 17, ending in an awards ceremony at Camp Baharm, N.C.

Out of over 10,000 North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers, 18 Soldiers fought for the title of Soldier of the Year over a three-day competition at the North Carolina National Guard's Camp Butner Training Center. The Soldiers competed in events such as the Army physical fitness test, weapons qualification, a land navigation course, a warrior task course, a road march, and a question and answer board with several sergeants major from across the state.

"It's been a great week," said Command Sgt. Maj. John H. Swart, the state command sergeant major of the North Carolina National Guard. "In reality, I believe that there are eighteen winners here."

The winners included: Sgt. 1st Class Robert P. Wheeler for the enlisted ranks of E7-E9; Army Staff Sgt. Stacy S. Garner for E5-E6, and Spc. Edwin J. Baldwin for E1-E4. Wheeler and Baldwin both won the opportunity to represent the North Carolina National Guard at the Region 3 competition for the Noncommissioned Soldier and Soldier of the Year, respectively.

The North Carolina National Guard Commander, Army Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Lusk, awarded the three winners with the North Carolina National Guard Meritorious Medal. Army retired sergeant major Johnny Underwood, the military representative of Geico Insurance, gifted Wheeler and Baldwin with Geico t-shirts, $50 Visa gift cards, a beach bag, and a water bottle. Marine retired sergeant major Jim Lewis, representing USAA, awarded the winners with a USAA Patriotic Medallion.

"You're the best and brightest of our state and national," said Lusk. "I am proud of every one of you.

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EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: For queries, contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at (919) 664-6242. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil/. To become a Facebook fan of the NCNG, please visit www.facebook.com/NCnationalguard or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NCnationalguard. To view additional pictures from this event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/ncngpao.