Sgt. David Martinsen, Cairo-Durham High School Grad, is Top New York Army National Guard Full-Time sergeant

Related Media

Sgt. David Martinsen

LATHAM, NY (03/28/2012)(readMedia)-- Sgt. David Martinsen, whose home of record is Round Top  and who is a Cairo-Durham High School graduate, has been picked as the outstanding Active Guard and Reserve Non-comissioned Officer of the Year for the New York Army National Guard.

As an Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) member of the Guard, Martinsen works full time as a Soldier at Joint Force Headquarters in Latham.

Martinsen is the son of Marie and Paul Martinsen.

A combat veteran, Martinsen, age 26, deployed in Iraq from October 2007 to January 2009 while in the Active Army as a member of the 510th Human Resources Company and the 101st Human Resources Company. He works as a human resources specialist for the National Guard.

Soldiers competing for the New York Army National Guard's AGR Non-commissioned Officer of the Year Award are selected by each brigade command in the organization based on a board held by senior sergeants. The Soldiers then compete against each in the areas of military knowledge and skills. All the contestants are top performers in physical fitness and marksmanship.

Active Guard and Reserve Soldiers perform the administrative and logistical functions which allow the bulk of the New York National Guard's 10,500 Soldiers who serve on a part-time basis to train and perform their duties effectively.

This year's competition was held March 24-25 at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.

Soldiers also compete to be the best junior enlisted Soldier and the best traditioanl part-time Non-commissioned Officer in the New York Army National Guard.

"I wanted to participate in this because I have participated in this before when I was in the Active Army and never won the big competition," Martinsen said. So this meant a lot for me to win it this time because I was so close towinning the higher level before. It took a lot of hard work and time to do it though. I studied every night, some more than others on all the possible topics I could be asked about."

"It really feels great to be the NCO of the Year. It really feels like all my hard work paid off. Now I just have to continue studying and ensure that I'm equally prepared for the next level," he said.

Martinsen will represent the New York Army National Guard at a northeast states regional competition.

"This is a significant achievement for Sgt. Martinsen, " said New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Frank Wicks. " It is evident that this sergeant has the drive and determination to do what it takes to succeed. This is a clear indicator of a sergeant's potential. I am positive that we will see more great accomplishments from him in the future."

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal which is presented to military members who distinguish themselves through local community volunteer service.

Martinsen, who joined the Army National in 2004, holds a Bachelor in Business degree from TUI University and has completed the military Warrior Leader Course.