Live Q&A - 11/17/2015: How do you become the Army NCO of the Year?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:19:56 -0500

From RP Staff:

We are honored to welcome Warrior NCO of the year SFC Andrew Fink to RallyPoint for a Live Q&A at 4:00pm EST on 11/17/2015!

Sergeant First Class Andrew Fink enlisted in the United States Army on 18 January 2007. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and Advanced Individual Training for 68W Health Care Specialist at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

His previous assignments include Training NCO for the 444th Minimal Care Detachment, United States Army Reserve, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Reconnaissance Platoon Medic, 3rd Ranger Battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia. He deployed twice to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010 respectively, as a platoon medic in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military education includes the Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, Airborne school, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Special Operations Combat Medic Course, Ranger School, SERE-C (High Risk), Vanguard Combatives Application course, Special Operations Medical Sergeant Refresher Course, Total Ammunition Management Information System operators course, ATRRS Operators course, USAR Unit Trainers course, USAR Training Management course.

His civilian education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota.

His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Medal (with numeral 3 device), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Combat Medic Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver).

Sergeant First Class Fink currently serves as the Platoon Sergeant for Treatment Platoon, 409th Area Support Medical Company in Madison, Wisconsin.

http://www.usar.army.mil/News/tabid/11498/Article/623138/fink-named-army-best-warrior-nco-of-the-year.aspx

*Post your questions below*

Fink named Army Best Warrior NCO of the Year

For the fourth time in nine years, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier has been named the U.S. Army’s Best Warrior.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 15 at 2015 10:52 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 10:52:08 -0500

Wow, this is awesome to see -- congrats to you on the achievement! My question is: what did you find to be the hardest part of the process, the part that made you most anxious?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 15 at 2015 6:16 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 18:16:30 -0500

Just wanted to say welcome, congratulations and keep doing what you do!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2015 7:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 19:22:22 -0500

How much farther do you plan on taking your education? A bachelor's degree in kinesiology sounds like an excellent degree on a med school application.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2015 7:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 19:37:41 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Congratulations on your achievement and welcome to RallyPoint!

V/r
Michelle

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2015 9:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 21:14:31 -0500

How well do you believe your participation and achievement in the Best Warrior competition will influence other NCOs to consider competing?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Nov 16 at 2015 5:38 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:38:53 -0500

Hi SFC,
Do you think you were at an advantage being a USAR NCO or disadvantage? What aspects of being within the reserve component helped and hindered you during the competition?

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Nov 17 at 2015 5:50 AM

1SG Harold Piet — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 05:50:43 -0500

Way to go! That is, Be all you can be! and for those who really want to know how to be NCO of the year, it starts with Bn. NCO of the month and you have to have showed your PLT SGT and 1SG you are worthy to be competing for that. So go to work every day and be all you can be.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Nov 17 at 2015 1:24 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:24:30 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member - Thanks for spending time with us today. It's an honor to have your wealth of experience here.
What advice would give to future NCOs who want to make the biggest immediate impact within their units? Also, similar question for future or current Officers. How can they make the biggest impact with their Soldiers?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 4:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:02:47 -0500

Before I get started answering questions, I want to say thank you to Rally Point for facilitating this discussion and a thank you to everyone who will be submitting questions. Fire away!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 4:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:53:03 -0500

Thank you for all you do, SFC Fink. It's an honor to serve with you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 6:05 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 18:05:20 -0500

Congratulations on your achievement. I'm proud to see that one of my fellow AMEDD soldiers won the competition. I'm very proud of our Army's medics. Its a tough job and you have to be right up there with the infantry! One question--I retired just before 9/11. Since then, I still interact with a lot of soldiers and recent veterans; I think they are the best I have ever seen in all components--Reserve, Guard and active. I see a lot of motivation! Perhaps a lot of it is because it has stirred up more patriotic calling.

I still sense this positive attitude and professionalism despite the increasing problems of suicide and PTSD. These issues, I believe, are a result of a very heavy OPTEMPO not seen since Vietnam days. I know many soldiers are feeling the after-effects years later. This is happening despite increase of mental health resources in the military and the VA, and attempts to de-stigmatize treatment.

Just want to get your thoughts on some of these personal reflections--Again, I feel we have the best Army ever; 1) do you agree with me on that and 2) what can we do to address the suicide and PTSD issues?

Once again, thanks for your outstanding service, fellow soldier!

Response by 2LT Earl Dean made Nov 18 at 2015 11:12 PM

2LT Earl Dean — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:12:58 -0500

Rangers Lead the way!