WASHINGTON — Sgt. maj. Michael A. Grinston announced the winners of the 2022 Best Squad Competition during a live presentation at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia. The winners of the US Army Award of 2022 are:
Previously announced winners of the 2022 Army Competition:
“The basis of preparedness is the individual soldier and the small unit – at the team and squad level,” said Army Chief of Staff General James C. McConville. “The best units in the world ensure that their individuals and small units are masters of their craft. If you don’t have a solid base of preparedness, you don’t have agility. You will never be able to do graduate level surgery.”
The Best Squad Competition for NCO and Soldier of the Year recognizes the Squad and Soldiers who demonstrate a commitment to military values, embody the Squad ethos, and represent the power of the future. The Army’s top squads compete in locations around the world in this annual competition. Teams compete in junior leagues first, then the finalists compete for the U.S. titles. Army Best Squad, Soldier of the Year and Petty Officer of the Year.
The Drill Sergeant of the Year competition is hosted by the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, the chief function leader of initial training for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. It is one of the most physically demanding and mentally tough challenges a soldier can face in a US Army competition. For four days, the participants must perform and master all associated tasks and exercises from the basic combat training. To win, they must not only be experts in training soldiers, but also be the best of the best and rise above the competition.
The Recruiter of the Year awards are given to soldiers who are judged to be the best recruiters in their respective categories. They represent the six recruiting brigades of the US Army Recruiting Command and compete to demonstrate their knowledge and professionalism. Competitors complete an Army physical fitness test and give presentations to the USAREC Sergeant Major and all of the Brigade’s Sergeant Major.
The Career Counselor of the Year competition involves significant physical and mental challenges with each entrant being judged by military standards. This includes completing the Army Combat Fitness Test, a 50-question multiple-choice exam, a 750-word essay on a chosen topic, and various appearances on the board. Scoring is determined by the culmination of commanders’ assessments and recommendations.
