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AUGUSTA — The inaugural Maine National Guard Outstanding Airmen and Best Warrior ceremony at the Blaine House on May 7, hosted by Gov. Paul LePage and first lady Ann LePage.
The event recognized the top enlisted members of the Maine National Guard, chosen from more than 3,100 service members with approximately 2,000 from the Army National Guard and 1,100 from the Air National Guard. The Air National Guard recognizes Outstanding Airmen, while the Maine Army National Guard recognizes Best Warriors.
During the ceremony, LePage commented on the selfless service and sacrifice made by the men and women who wear the uniform, as well as their families at home.
“Our nation owes our service men and women a debt that we will never be able to repay,” said LePage. “We are honored to show our gratitude today and every day to those who dedicate their lives to serving our great nation. You are the ones who courageously vow to protect our American values and the freedoms we share. We, too, thank the families who are sacrificing, as well. You are the reason these men and women are able to carry out their duty knowing they have your support at home.”
Also in attendance were Brig. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, adjutant general for the Maine National Guard; Brig. Gen. Hugh T. Corbett, assistant adjutant general for the Maine Army National Guard; Brig. Gen. Scott A. Young, assistant adjutant general for the Maine Air National Guard; service members from the Maine Army and Air National Guard and family members.
“We have almost 3,100 airmen and soldiers here in the state of Maine and I am proud to represent all of them,” said Farnham. “Every year we get to honor the eight (service members) that are the most outstanding, so your performance makes us all a little more proud to put on the uniform. It’s an honor well deserved.”
The Outstanding Airmen represent the top four enlisted candidates and one officer from the Maine Air National Guard from the the categories airman, non-commissioned officer, senior non-commissioned officer, first sergeant and company grade officer. The individuals selected as Outstanding Airmen of the Year from the Maine Air National Guard will be submitted to the National Guard Bureau for consideration as Air National Guard candidates for the Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year program.
The Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year program selects one nominee from among all the Maine Air National Guard units for submission to the National Guard Bureau for consideration as an Air National Guard candidate for the Air Force Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year Program.
“It is a big honor to be here today,” said Master Sgt. Brian Ward, one of the awardees. “This is an individual award, but the way I look at it, I wouldn’t be here today without all of the support from past and present members of the Guard that I have served with.”
The Best Warrior represents the top junior enlisted member and top non-commissioned officer from the Maine Army National Guard that are both tactically and technically proficient. Each unit within the state sends a junior enlisted member and Non-Commissioned Officer to compete at the battalion level, with the winners sent to the brigade level and finally to the state level competition.
This year’s grueling best warrior competition conducted a modified physical fitness test featuring timed pushups, situps and a 3 mile run, a formal interview board to test each candidate’s knowledge, day and night land navigation, timed ruck march with prescribed packing list, medical aid tasks, as well as a series of communications and marksmanship tasks. Each event is assigned a certain amount of points with the winners earning the most points.
This year’s Outstanding Airmen are Senior Airman Jordan Charpentier, Tech Sgt. Douglas Connolly, Master Sgt. Bryan Lord, Master Sgt. Jeremiah Delisle, Staff Sgt. Chad Sirois and 1st Lt. Adam Rodriguez.
This year’s Best Warriors are Sgt. Jared Smith and Spc. Joseph Smith.
“Any time you win an individual award in the military, it’s usually based on a collective effort of those leaders who trained you, other soldiers who have trained with you and helped turn you into the soldier you are,” said Army Sgt. Jared Smith. “So I think any time you win an individual award, it is similar to winning an award for your entire unit.”
State Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Doyon said the event is part of an increasing effort to have more joint operations and training with the Air and Army National Guard.
“Cross talking between the two organizations is very helpful,” he said. “This will make our people better. They can cross talk and become more effective.”
