Outside the Wire will feature profiles (in alphabetical order) of the six Drill Sergeant of the Year contenders this week. The competitors, which include four active-duty soldiers and two reservists, will be evaluated as they tackle more than 50 physically and emotionally challenging events. The winners will be announced Friday.
Staff Sgt. Jasper Kohoutek is one of two reservists competing in this year’s competition. The Post Falls, Idaho, native joined the Army in 2003.
“I’m honored to be here,” Kohoutek said. “This is a good opportunity to learn from the wealth of knowledge these senior drill sergeants bring.”
The infantryman said his toughest challenges will be in modules and leading physical readiness training “because reservists don’t do that every day.” He looks to make up the difference in in warrior tasks and weaponry.
A veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Kohoutek is assigned to the 95th Division in Spokane, Wash. He also served at Fort Bragg, N.C.
