SSG Michael Noyce Merino says “A National Guard soldier has never won the army's competition and none of us ever expected that to happen... just because National Guard soldiers the way we drill, we have different commitments to our family. And active duty soldiers, that is their full time job.

Montana’s former sergeant major bob Bennett stood beside noyce merino through much of the competition and says he will never forget the moment they announced best warrior.  “I got tears in my eyes... a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes and old guys aren't supposed to do that…”

Noyce Merino proved himself during a week-long competition is designed to test a soldier's mettle in physical fitness, urban warfare simulations, and intelligence.

The competition requires soldiers to complete tasks faced in battle. The vigorous challenges are drawn from real-life scenarios in the global war on terror. Noyce merino says one medical scenario in the competition was much like one he faced overseas. “The scenario was almost exactly the same as the one I had actually experienced. I was able to use the same techniques and same training basically to just treat a casualty and move out of the area.”

These competitions have been a part of the army for years. But why, during a time of war on terrorism and economic turmoil have soldiers compete against each other? Noyce Merino said “competition is what we do as soldiers. When we go overseas we are competing against the enemy. And the person that wins at the end of the day is pretty important.”

So does Sergeant Noyce Merino consider himself to be the best? “I put forth 100-percent effort; the National Guard gave me the opportunity, the assistance, the training and resources. That’s what brought the success. So no, I’m not the best, what I am is a representative of the best

Story by Brook Boone, Beartooth News. Copyright ©2009 Beartooth Communications Company

Back to top

To soldier for one's country means far more than simply wearing a uniform while serving in the military.

In this installment of "A Soldier's Best", Beartooth NBC's Brooke Boone discovers that lessons learned on a Montana ranch, helped shape National Guard Sgt. Michael Noyce Merino into the decorated soldier he is today.

”this is such a great experience, I want my kids to have that same experience." Staff Sergeant Noyce Merino grew up on this cattle ranch in Melrose, Montana. Noyce merino says he learned the meaning of hard work early on, as a foster child who earned his G.E.D. diploma.

Today, with his wife Shelli and sister Mary, he runs that same ranch. Noyce merino says the ranching lifestyle has taught him many lessons that carried him through three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the challenging n-c-o competitions which he won.

Noyce merino say "growing up in an agricultural setting teaches you a work ethic and it teaches you to be independent.” unlike some of his comrades, he was prepared for the long hikes and the often grueling life of a soldier. Because of the physically demanding job of a rancher. Leaving active duty and joining the National Guard has allowed him to serve his country and be there for his family. "I drive to drill and I drive back so when I’m not drilling when I’m not working I come back here I come back home” a balance his wife Shelli appreciates. Shelli says “you know you serve your country on a military level; you serve your country on an agricultural level and just being a family man.”

In addition to ranch work, Noyce merino takes classes at Montana tech, pursuing a degree in business. He holds a job as manager at the ups store in butte. And, has aspirations to run for political office. Noyce merino says “I’ve served the people of Montana as a guardsman and I want to continue to do that but I also want to serve them in an elected position somewhere.” Brook Boone asks "any idea where?" Noyce merino "no, that's I’m not going to talk about that just yet. You’ll hear about it soon enough.”

As N.C.O. of the year, Noyce Merino will spend this year touring the country as a representative for the U.S. Army. As well as a living symbol for anyone who has ever toiled the land and seen it pay off.

Reporting from Melrose, Brooke Boone Beartooth NBC.

The final report of this series highlights what it means for the National Guard to have one of their own take home the title of N.C.O. of the year.

Story by Brook Boone, Beartooth News. Copyright ©2009 Beartooth Communications Company

Back to top

Staff sergeant Michael Noyce merino broke a glass ceiling when he took home the top award in the army's top competition.

In her final report of "a soldiers best," beartooth NBC’s Brooke Boone shows us how Noyce merino's performance underscores why N.C.O.'s are the army's 'backbone.'

Civilian Soldiers, Weekend Warriors, national guard soldiers train one weekend

a month, two weeks in the summer... unless preparing for deployment in which case they train longer and more intensively.

Still, National Guard members are often stereotyped as being less qualified and combat ready than full-time active duty soldiers. Stereotyped until now.

staff sergeant Michael Noyce merino's victory at the army's top level of competition has lead some of the army's top brass to take notice and rethink their evaluation of the national guard.

Sergeant major William cooper says “the guardsman that wins a competition like this, has put in so much effort and so much of his own time whereas the active army soldier that’s elected as battalion soldier of the year can focus every day.”

Secretary of the army Pete Geren established 2009 as "the year of the NCO, a year that now holds more significance than ever before.

Retired sergeant major bob Bennett said “it brings us to the same level as every other active combat or army reserve soldier there is if not more.”

Noyce merino said “people say the National Guard will never be as good as the army. Well, now we have something that we can hold up and say, yeah, we are every bit as good as the army.

This year, the Montana National Guard has another strong competitor. Sergeant Ryan Bruebaker recently won the regional competition and will soon head to the nationals.

Cooper says "some people think we've got some kind of thing with somebody but that's not the case we just have quality soldiers willing to put in the work

Noyce merino says three things create success. Opportunity, assistance, and effort. And even though he will represent thousands of soldiers this year. He says he could not have done it by himself alone. “One person may get to stand at the top for a moment, but you couldn't do that without the pyramid underneath and that's what the National Guard is...”

Reporting in Helena, Brooke Boone Beartooth NBC

Noyce merino won his honors during the army's year of the n-c-o. All three segments of "A Soldiers Best" can be found on our website at BeartoothNBC.com.

Story by Brook Boone, Beartooth News. Copyright ©2009 Beartooth Communications Company

Back to top