Training and Doctrine Command Public Affairs

FORT EUSTIS, Va. — Seven Soldiers and civilians from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command were recognized as Instructors of the Year and presented awards by Gen. Robert Cone, TRADOC’s commanding general during the fourth annual Army Learning Summit May 3 at the TRADOC Headquarters on Fort Eustis.

Two of the honorees, Maj. Brett Bardo and Robert Santos, represented the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence. Bardo is an instructor with the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School and Santos is an instructor with the U.S. Army Engineer School.

Cone, who handed out Instructor of the Year plaques and TRADOC coins during the ceremony, said he was impressed with the accomplishments of this year’s recipients and thanked them for their effort and dedication in teaching future leaders.

Developing Army leaders is a core TRADOC initiative and an important component in the organization’s effort towards designing the Army of 2020.

Maj. Brett Bardo, Officer Instructor of the Year talked about leadership after the ceremony.

“Leadership to me is providing a good example in your actions and candidly providing guidance and mentorship to peers and subordinates alike,” Bardo said.

Santos concurred and said that he was honored to be selected as Instructor of the Year.

“I truly enjoy instructing — knowing that I can make a big difference in the type of construction engineer that we send out into the field,” Santos said.

Instructors are judged on their tactical and technical knowledge, communication skills, appearance and military bearing. Their contributions to training-literature development, research and article publication are also considered.

TRADOC created the Instructor of the Year program in 1989.

2011 Instructors of the Year:

— Maj. Brett Bardo, Officer Instructor of the Year

— Staff Sgt. Adrienne Harmon, Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year

— Robert Santos, Civilian Instructor of the Year

— Chief Warrant Officer 3 Troy Skaggs, Warrant Officer Instructor of the Year

— Master Sgt. Jeffrey Kennedy, U.S. Army Reserve Instructor of the Year

— Staff Sgt. Jericho Ingold, U.S. Army National Guard Instructor of the Year

— Erika Brooks, Educator of the Year