95th Chem snags top CBRN honors

The 95th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Company assigned to U.S. Army Alaska was recently awarded the 2018 Sibert Award as the top CBRN company in the active-duty Army.

The Sibert Award, named after Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert, is designed to instill pride and reinforce essential elements of mission readiness, leadership, discipline and organizational excellence by choosing the company which best demonstrates preparation for tomorrow’s warfare.

“This year was highly completive, as 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Chemical Corps,” said Army Capt. Gerald Ratchford, company commander. “It was the collective effort of each and every Soldier to win this award. We strove to honor the corps’ centennial every day.”

The 95th has conducted operations in six countries – Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Iraq, and Serbia – and quickly became an authority for readiness. Upon completion of their international support efforts, they were sent to Hawaii and Guam to assist in additional missions.

In Alaska, the 95th Chemical Company helped train U.S. Army Alaska units at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Fort Greely, and Fort Wainwright. They also created joint partnerships with the Air Force and trained with the Alaska National Guard’s 103rd Civil Support Team, Anchorage Fire Department and Emergency Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and various state agencies.

The company also maintained combat capability, conducting squad and convoy live-fire exercises and gunnery with Stryker vehicles. Their ability to out maneuver, fight, and win while outperforming their sister companies comes as no surprise to Ratchford, he said.

“We have been very busy this year, conducting training exercises, field time, and support mission; it wouldn’t surprise me if we are the busiest company on JBER. All credit goes to our great Soldiers and their families who made it easy to win,” he said. “I am honored to have been a part of this team.”

To win, each company’s packet is judged by senior CBRN officials who judge the unit’s ability to complete its mission, individual and collective training statistics, task testing, weapons qualification, Army physical fitness test scores, Combat Training Center rotations or contingency missions, maintenance status, inspections and

more.

Ratchford and company 1st Sgt. Amanda Sidonio received the award at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where it was presented by

the Commandant of the Chemical Corps, Brig. Gen. Andy Munera, and Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. Henney Hodgkins.