Soldiers awarded for going “above and beyond”

The 6th Ranger Training Battalion presented its Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Soldier of the Year awards at their training facility at Camp James E. Rudder on Jan. 31.

Members of the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee were on hand to see Commander Lt. Col. Michael D. Acord present the awards.

Staff Sgt. Will Castaneda received the award for NCO of the Year, and Spc. Michael Nelson was named Soldier of the Year.

"We are here to recognize a couple of soldiers who have performed above and beyond here at Ranger School," Acord said.

Shirley Brown and John Kagan, with the Chamber's MAC presented the soldiers with pistols as recognition of their achievements.

For more on this story, see the Feb. 9 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.