Story by Staff Sgt. David Bill
Public Affairs Office
48th IBCT 

 Private 1st Class Thomas Gritzner and Sgt. Kenneth Lee, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion,118th Field Artillery Regiment, have been selected as the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

The 2008 selection process allowed each of the battalions and separate units within the 48th IBCT to present Soldiers who strived for, and achieved excellence. The candidates then faced-off before the “Murder Board,” made up of seven sergeants major and one first sergeant representing the respective units within the Volunteer Brigade. Each candidate's military knowledge was challenged on the Army’s standard Common Soldier Task Training, and topics quickly broadened to include 48th Brigade history, Army chain of command, programs specific to the Army, and the Enlisted Promotion System. Candidates also completed the Army Physical Fitness Test.

 “The competition starts at the local unit, company and detachment level,” said 48th IBCT Brigade Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hurndon, who served as president of the board. “At this level they are very well prepared by their chain of command.”

Convened at the 48th Brigade Headquarters in Macon, this “murder board” watched every move and listened intently as each candidate responded to the questions posed.

Gritzner, a gunner for Battery B, in Savannah, out-dueled six other candidates for the title of Soldier of the Year.

Leesaid he had an advantage over his peers vying for NCO of the Year. “My unit prepared me well for the competition,” said the Springfield resident. “I had support throughout my preparation.” Fresh from active duty, Lee had appeared before a similar board for his promotion to Sergeant.

A gunner for Springfield’s Battery A, Lee has been with the unit for just over a year. “I’m excited about being selected as NCO of the Year,” he said.

 "It is an honor to have both winners from our unit,” said 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Alfred Wood, although he is not sure if a battalion has ever had both the Soldier and NCO of the Year but was pleased with the unique turn of events.

 “I’m very proud of these two fine young men,” said Woods. “They worked hard to prepare for this competition. They have brought great honor to the Battalion.”