U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 401st Cyber Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), walks towards the next point in land navigation during the drill sergeant of the year competition at a training area on Fort Gordon July 6, 2026. Each competitor was given six points to find and mark during the drill sergeant of the year competition, with only 3 hours given. The CCoE drill sergeant of the year competition was held for 4 days, with three competitors fighting to win the title. The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire, and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Samantha Powers)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 401st Cyber Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), walks towards the next point in land navigation during the drill sergeant of the year competition at a training area on Fort Gordon July 6, 2026. Each competitor was given six points to find and mark during the drill sergeant of the year competition, with only 3 hours given. The CCoE drill sergeant of the year competition was held for 4 days, with three competitors fighting to win the title. The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire, and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Samantha Powers)

In pictures: Cyber Center, Fort Gordon, Drill Sergeant of The Year 2026

July 21, 2026·Special To Augusta Good News·Comments Off on In pictures: Cyber Center, Fort Gordon, Drill Sergeant of The Year 2026

Drill Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 401st Cyber Battalion, was named the Fort Gordon, U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence Drill Sergeant of the Year on July 13 after a four-day competition earlier in the month.

The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches

Drill Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 401st Cyber Battalion, was named the Cyber Center of Excellence Drill Sergeant of the Year. Photo by Staff Sgt. Xavier Legarreta, Cyber Center of Excellence Public Affairs
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 401st Cyber Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), partakes in the round robin event during the drill sergeant of the year competition at a training area on Fort Gordon, July 6, 2026. Each competitor was given two areas to compete in the round robin, consisting of a medical lane, and a bounding movement lane. The CCoE drill sergeant of the year competition was held for 4 days, with three competitors fighting to win the title. The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire, and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Samantha Powers)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin Warren, 369th Signal Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), walks towards the next event after the physical assessment event during the drill sergeant of the year competition at a training area on Fort Gordon July 6, 2026. The physical assessment tests the speed, determination and strength for the competitors. The CCoE drill sergeant of the year competition was held for 4 days, with three competitors fighting to win the title. The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire, and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Samantha Powers)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 401st Cyber Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), fires his M4 carbine at pop up targets during the live fire range event during the drill sergeant of the year competition at a training area on Fort Gordon, July 6, 2026. The CCoE drill sergeant of the year competition was held for 4 days, with three competitors fighting to win the title. The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire, and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Samantha Powers)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Traice Greene, 551st Signal Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), walks towards the next event after completing a physical fitness assessment during the drill sergeant of the year competition at Barton Field, on Fort Gordon, GA, July 6, 2026. The CCoE drill sergeant of the year competition was held for 4 days, with three competitors fighting to win the title. The events consisted of a physical fitness assessment, an Army Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, written essays, cognitive testing, weapons knowledge, live fire, and on-the-spot- drill sergeant pitches. (U.S. Army photo by SPC. Samantha Powers
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