Congratulations to newly promoted Sgt. Justin McLendon for winning the 2015 U.S. Army Forces Command Soldier of the Year Competition at Fort Bragg, N.C. Aug. 26. McLendon, a Mobile, Ala. native was presented the Meritorious Service Medal by Command Sgt. Maj. Scott C. Schroeder, Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Forces Command along with a plaque and several prizes during a banquet held to honor the efforts of this year’s competitors.
McLendon serves as an infantryman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. He endured five long days of exhausting and mentally challenging events while outperforming some of the top Soldiers and NCOs in today’s Army. The in-depth competition included events such as a nine-mile foot march, combat life saving test, rifle qualification, obstacle course, land navigation course, a stress shoot, Army Physical Fitness Test and a board appearance just to name a few.
As an additional reward, McLendon will advance to the Army level Soldier of the Year competition where he will compete against the top Soldiers at the Department of the Army level.
After receiving numerous prizes, McLendon spoke about the intensity of the competition and had advice to give to future board competitors.
“At every level, I would advise Soldiers to workout, do PT and study as much as you can. The biggest thing I’ve learned as a leader is understanding that there’s going to be things that are going to break me off. Just because I’m very successful at one event doesn’t mean I’m going to be successful at another; taking that and molding myself with it and understanding what my areas of weakness are so that I can work on those things and become a better and more well-rounded Soldier.”
Video by U.S. Army Spc. Roderick Evans, 49th Public Affairs Detachment.
