Transportation NCO of the Year keeps truckin’
September 27, 2006
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 Sgt. 1st Class Robert K. Farmer tosses a tow chain into the back of a five-ton truck in between trials at the 25th Transportation Company's Truck Rodeo Aug. 30-31.
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Sgt. 1st Class Robert K. Farmer recently edged out 20 competitors from around the country to become the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year at the Transportation Corps annual conference at Ft. Eustis, Va.
“To tell you the truth, I was shocked that I was picked,” said Farmer, who is assigned to the 25th Transportation Company in Hawaii and was U.S. Army Pacific’s sole competitor. “Some people I really look up to didn’t make it. It could have just as easily been them.”
Farmer started his career as a driver at Fort Polk, La., and after bouncing around posts, was chosen for recruiting duty in St. Louis. Through recruiting, Farmer witnessed the difference he was making in people’s lives.
“As a recruiter, you were a part of a person’s transition from civilian to military,” he said. “When they come back four to five months later, you see how proud they are wearing their uniform and … how much the person grew in such a short amount of time.”
He also saw changes within the Army. Having just started recruiting two months before Sept. 11, 2001, he noticed a change from the stagnant Cold War-type training to the current style, which mimics the battlefield in Iraq.
“People are coming back injured and with first-hand experience, which makes training more realistic,” he said. “Soldiers have the attitude that ‘we really need to learn this’ because if they don’t, it could be their fault that another Soldier doesn’t make it back.”
In his current position, Farmer balances responsibilities as a platoon sergeant. He is also transitioning to the “truckmaster” billet for 25th Transportation Company. Farmer describes his truckmaster position as more managerial, equipment and mission-focused, whereas the former involved nurturing two squads of 37 Soldiers.
Farmer offered this advice to younger Soldiers: “Don’t worry about being promoted, just do the best you can in everything you do, and the rest will take care of itself.”
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