A 39-year-old Cortez native, single father of three and combat medic has been named non-commissioned officer of the year in an army-wide competition in Fort Bliss, Texas, where he is stationed.
Sgt. Anthony Spall, a 1994 graduate of Montezuma-Cortez High School, took the top honor at the 1st Armored Division Artillery Soldier and NCO of the Year competition on April 16. The prestigious and arduous competition pitted Spall against three other top-tier soldiers that were selected to compete by their superiors based on performance and proficiency in military tasks like physical training, forced marches in full “battle-rattle” gear, marksmanship, and subject area knowledge.
“My career had set me up for this. I’m a medic, I was set up that way. We do PT (physical training) every morning so that set you up for the physical fitness part. Soldier tasks are taught throughout your career, and studying is something you have to do on your own and something that I’m always doing. I have books in my car right now,” said Spall.
Fort Bliss is the second-largest U.S. army installation in the nation, so for Spall to take the top honor within that large footprint is an extreme honor, said Capt. Clark Tucker, Army public affairs officer.
Spall said the relentless pace of the competition was the biggest obstacle he was able to overcome, and he prepared for weeks leading up to it. While soldiers are going head-to-head for the title during the competition, the team spirit also provided a morale boost, he said.
“The tempo was the biggest challenge...We start early and go all day with back-to-back events, and then it’s early again the next day,” he said, adding that the entire time competitors are expected to have their uniforms and gear in meticulous order. “During the competition these guys are great, there’s a lot of camaraderie, we’re helping each other out, pumping each other up.”
Another huge motivator for Spall was his three children: a 9-year-old daughter, a 13-year-old son, and a 20-year-old daughter who is thinking about joining the military. While the competition was a feat, he says the chance of being a role model to them and to other younger soldiers fueled his drive.
“I have three children. My oldest daughter is thinking about joining, so I wanted to set and example that if you work hard and push yourself, good things will happen,” he said.
Spall has served for six years and eight months, and is currently in the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. Over the course of his career, he’s worked his way up to sergeant, and with his new honor of NCO of the Year, he is currently three points away from his next promotion. His pride in his accomplishment is evident but he isn’t resting on his laurels.
“When you’re a new solider coming in, you look at NCOs and think its never possible (to get there), I wanted to also set an example for soldiers that you can get there; I want to get as far as up as I can.”