News Resources

Army ROTC Cadre member from UC-Berkely Wins Second Consecutive NCO of the Year Competition

By Terry Mann
U.S. Army Cadet Command

  FORT KNOX, Ky. – Injuries and a weapon that failed to zero weren’t enough to stop Cadet Command’s Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year from taking the U.S. Army Accessions Command title Friday.
  Staff Sgt. Russell Kojo, an Army ROTC instructor at the University of California–Berkeley, was named the Accessions Command NCO of the Year during a ceremony here May 14. His win marks the third year in a row an NCO from Cadet Command has won the event.
  As an infantryman and Ranger, Kojo served with Charlie Co., 75th Ranger Regiment for 12 years before being assigned to Cadet Command during the past year. The Alhambre, Calif., resident is pursuing an associate’s degree in criminal justice while serving as an ROTC instructor. While preparing for the NCOY competition and juggling Cadet training and commissions, he earned an A on his algebra final. 
  Kojo advances to represent Accessions Command at the Training and Doctrine Command-level in July. Though there were three competitors – one each from Cadet Command, Accessions Support Brigade and U.S. Army Recruiting Command – only a winner was declared.
  The TRADOC winner goes on to compete in the Department of the Army contest this fall. Kojo competed against a representative from U.S. Army Recruiting Command and Army Support Brigade.
   “My hat goes off to all the competitors because I know how much it takes to prepare for these boards and still maintain your day job,” Kojo said. “They have it more difficult than me, I think, because I have a chance to train as part of my job. Each competitor here this week deserved to win.”
  For winning the NCOY competition, Kojo received an Army Commendation Medal, a savings bond from both Armed Forces Federal Bank and Army Savings Bond, three debit cards from Gieco Insurance, a plaque, a trophy and an iPod Touch.
   In the weeks leading up to the three-day event after winning the NCOY for Cadet Command at a competition held at Fort Sill, Okla., in April, Kojo injured his knee and shoulder training and dealt with the death of grandfather.
   Still, Kojo traveled to Fort Knox prepared to give his all. He said he is driven to excel by his past and his present. 
   “In everything I do, I try and live up to the expectations of the Ranger regiment, JSOC, UC-Berkeley, Cadet Command and my fallen comrades,” Kojo said, referring to his mental preparation and focus.
   “One of my best friends, Sgt. James Regan, was killed in Iraq. I carry his leadership tab with me everywhere I go. Guys like him will never hug their mother or wife or father or child again. They will never see their children grow up. It’s up to me to honor their memory by doing the very best that I can do with everything I do.”
  Because of injuries to a knee and shoulder, Kojo said he relied on, “Motrin, ice and a prayer” to carry him through the physical fitness portion of the six-event competition. The other events included weapons qualification, day and night land navigation, a written test and essay, Warrior Skills tasks, a board 
conducted by command sergeants major. The competition also featured a mystery event: the ropes course, which is an aerial obstacle course.
   “No matter what, I’ll be ready and I’ll go until my shoulder pops out,” Kojo said just before the competition began.
  Kojo proved mentally, physically and tactically prepared, especially when it was discovered during weapons qualification that the rear-sight on his weapon was damaged and would not adjust properly.
   “Just like combat, you do what you have to do to complete the mission,” he said. “I used ‘Kentucky windage’ during weapon qualification … and scored 30 hits.”
  At Friday’s awards ceremony in the Patton Museum, the participants were applauded for the efforts.
  “NCOs are the standard bearers … they are leaders of character and leaders by example,” Col. Victor Petrenko, deputy commander/chief of staff for U.S. Army Accessions Command, said during his keynote remarks.
  And leading by example and exemplifying the professionalism and mentorship of the NCO Corps is what Kojo did during the Warrior Skills portion of the competition. After all, the primary mission of an NCO is to lead and train – even during a high-stakes competition.
  With only 10 minutes to plan a squad assault on an enemy position for the training event, Kojo took time to provide hip-pocket training to a junior Soldier role-playing as one of the squad members.
  The training event included reacting to an improvised explosive device and searching an enemy prisoner of war.
  Kojo explained a combat-expedient method to safely and effectively search an enemy combatant on the battlefield to the squad members. He noticed the technique, which he learned while with the 82nd Airborne and Ranger Regiment, seemed unfamiliar to the young Soldier.
  So Kojo selected the Soldier to conduct the search during the graded training event and walked him through the steps of properly securing, searching and treating a prisoner of war. This was done within the 10-minute mission prep time and while also briefing other squad members on roles and responsibilities.
 Kojo also emphasized the importance of distinguishing between civilians and combatants on the battlefield.
  “I’m so used to training and mentoring Soldiers, it was second-nature,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t even realize I conducted a block of training during the competition.”
  The week before the competition, Kojo was at a local Army National Guard unit training Cadets and preparing himself for the competition. His motivation and drive to succeed positioned him for success at the competition, those who have gotten to know him said.  
  “Kojo’s well-roundedness as an NCO and awareness of his surroundings made him the best candidate to represent Cadet Command in the NCOY competition,” said Sgt. Maj. James McGruder, operations and plans NCO for Cadet Command.
  “He was the most consistent as an NCO in terms of leadership and Warrior Skills tasks. He has proven that he’s the best candidate for the job.”