Nuristan PRT’s Warrior’s of the Year

By U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Natassia Cherne

Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Operations Specialist 1st Class Kathleen Leach, a native of Smithfield R.I., and U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Dustin Brzezniak, a native of Matawan, NJ, were awarded Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Warrior of the Year and Junior Warrior of the Year at an informal ceremony held Feb.10.

The Nuristan PRT Junior and NCO Warrior of the Year are presented to the command's top junior and senior enlisted performers who exhibit leadership and professionalism, and set an example of excellence while performing their assigned duties.

Brzezniak commented on receiving the Junior Warrior of the Year award, what it means to him, and what it took to earn it.
"It feels great to be selected as Nuristan PRT 's Junior Warrior of the Year. It was a long road and a lot of hard work, but worth every minute of it," Brzezniak said.

In order to compete for the Warrior of Year honors, both service members had previously been awarded Warrior of the Quarter honors during their deployment with the PRT.

"I want to thank my leadership and everyone on the team for supporting me and making this such a successful deployment without the team I would not have been able to obtain my accomplishments," Leach said.

The Warrior of the Year competitors were rated individually with 70 percent of each participant's score based on a letter of recommendation written by their immediate supervisor. The letter addressed initiative, scope of responsibility, command involvement, leadership and mentoring, collateral duties, and education.

The other 30 percent of their score was based on an oral interview performed before a board of five senior NCOs. Brzezniak and Leach distinguished themselves based on reporting, military bearing, appearance and their responses to questions on select subject areas.

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kathleen Leach (right), operations specialist, a native from Smithfield R.I. and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin Brzezniak(left), an aviation boatswaine handler, a native from Matawan, New Jersey, pose for a picture for Warrior of the Year Feb. 9. Leach and Brzezniak represent Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team’s top two enlisted performers who embody outstanding leadership, professionalism and set an example for excellence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kathleen Leach, operations specialist, a native from Smithfield R.I. and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin Brzezniak, an aviation boatswaine handler, a native from Matawan, New Jersey, pose for a fun picture for Warrior of the Year Feb. 9. Leach and Brzezniak represent Nuristan Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team’s top two enlisted performers who embody outstanding leadership, professionalism and set an example for excellence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)