My 1SG has announced me as the soldier selected for the Soldier of the Year competition. Any advice for this big event?

Study the material provided (you should have been given information on what to prepare for). Try to practice with one of your NCOS.

Study and be on you toes, everyone in the competition does, and get your uniform ready.

Something that most competitors didn't know when asked in the 82nd;
If they ask you where is the Division Truck, your answer, "On the top of the Division Flag Pole."
If they ask you what is at the base of that flag pole, "Three rounds, 45acp, 30cal, and 50cal."
If asked which way are the rounds pointing, "North."
If asked why, "Because it points in the direction where the USA had never been attacked from by any enemy."
In other words, be ready for anything.
Have a great time, Salute!

Congratulations and keep up the good work! Be humble!

Everyone will tell you what to study, questions to answer, proper wear of uniform, blah, blah. Bottom line, this is something new, so charge right into it and learn from it. Enjoy the challenge and experience along with your piece of Humble Pie. Even if you don't get picked, help the next candidate along. It will get noticed. People tend to think these types of "competition" have an "end". No, it's a new beginning. You move ever forward.

Yes. Read the other threads about "Soldier of the Month/Quarter/Year", improve your rucking, APFT, knowledge of your unit, Level 1 tasks, understanding of recent events, and board skills. That's the start.

Congratulations. Be yourself and be ready for unexpected questions.

Congratulations you must be doing something right!!

Find someone who went last year. Find someone who went to a promotion board the president of this board will be on. Learn as much as you can about whatever is on th MOI. Memorize your introduction. This is more important at a promotion board but still sets the tone for any board appearance. “I am RANK NAME and I am from HOMETOWN, STATE. I went to school at HIGHEST LEVEL ATTENDED and joined the Army in YEAR. I attended Basic Training at INSTALLATION and then went to INSTALLATION where I studied MOS TITLE and was awarded the MOS ##x. I reported to my first duty station on MONTH YEAR and was assigned to UNIT as a DUTY POSITION. (If relevant- After YEARS I was assigned to NEXT UNIT where I served as DUTY POSITIONS(S)... and/or In YEAR I deployed to DEPLOYMENT in support of OPERATION NAME.) If you have family, I am married to NAME, my SPOUSE of NUMBER YEARS and we have NUMBER of children, NAME, YEARD OLD and NAME, YEARS OLD. Wrap it all up with your short term and long term goals. You will get some conflicting advice here. Some will say to never mention a desire to be a warrant or a commissioned officer. I see where that comes from but disagree-but that’s a different post. A good example may be: My short term goal or to win BDE/DIV/INSTALLION Soldier of the Year and become a non-commissioned officer. My long term goals are to co,plate my bachelors degree in DEGREE and become a 1SG of (whatever your MOS is) company.

Now, if you are about to do something cool-get a pilot’s license or run a marathon or whatever, include that with short term goals. Maintain eye contact with all member of the board. Start with he president and finish with him/her, but look at everyone. If you go to look at someone and they aren’t looking, look a thing the next person. Maximize the time you are looking at people face to face. Besides showing confidence, eye contact builds empathy.

Most important thing-relax. The hard part is actually over. You have been selected. Your 1SG wouldn’t have selected you if you thought you’d bomb. You have been chosen for a reason. Have that confidence. OWN that confidence. Walk into that board link you’ve already won and this is just a technicality.

Win or lose, right after the board, knock on your first sergeant’s door, enter when told to, lock up at parade desk in front of his/her desk, and thank them for the opportunity to attend the Soldier of the Year board. Humility, attention to detail, and showing proper respect and customs and courtesies will only help you through your career.

Congratulations of your selection, now turn off the internet and study!

Be an expert

Don't use study guides, they're garbage. READ THE FM's and AR's...

If you win and it's a Division level competition your going to get a lot of free stuff. I was shocked talking to the 101st Soldier of the Year, 7-10 years back. Holy crap the winnings were on league with a TV game show almost, free travel, free use of a new car until the next competition, representing the Division at PR events, meeting VIP's, coupons at local businesses........not to mention the impact it has on your promotion to the next grade. So yes you should do your best