Two Soldiers of Company A, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, however, managed to not only keep their skills, but demonstrated their superior knowledge by winning the brigade’s Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Quarter boards June 6.
Sgt. Larry L. Robinson and Spc. Craig Stokes, both military intelligence analysts in the Stalker’s Intelligence Electronic Warfare section, competed against a combined 10 other Soldiers in their respective battalion and brigade boards to obtain the title.
“I’m excited considering this is my first time winning as a NCO. It’s a different level of competition,” said Robinson, a native of Fayetteville, N.C.
“It was kind of hectic with the board and work,” added Stokes, who hails from Rochester, N.H.
Both Soldiers have been in the Army for three years and are on their first deployment. Four days prior, they had been informed they would participate in the boards. They also expressed their thanks to their leaders and coworkers for helping them prepare.
“I’m honored that my first sergeant thought enough of us to represent the battalion. We had a lot of support from the section. They took some of our shifts at work to help us prepare,” Robinson said.
Stokes added that winning the board was special since it took place while he was deployed.
“It’s a really good way to wrap up the deployment,” he said.
Since the Stalkers won both boards, the winners feel that the Soldiers who follow them will have a lot to live up to.
“It’s a lot of pressure. A lot of our Soldiers have won previous boards. There’s a lot of self-pressure,” Robinson said. “I think it’s a testament to the caliber of the Soldiers and leadership of Alpha Company,” Stokes added.
Robinson had some advice for any Soldier thinking of competing in the fast-paced deployed environment.
“Be confident going in and be proud of yourself whether you win or not,” he said.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – With high operational tempo, sometimes it’s tough for deployed Soldiers to find time to maintain their basic Soldier knowledge and skills.
