FORT HUACHUCA — The best on this southern Arizona Army post — to include the noncommissioned officer and soldier of the year — were honored Friday evening at the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre.

Of the honorees, Maj. Gen. Robert P. Ashley Jr., said the evening was “a great opportunity to recognize excellence.”

When it comes to the military it’s all about team work, and the soldiers, a sailor and a Marine, as well as civilians who were being honored, understand the concept of working together to get missions done, said the general who commands the Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca.

“The strength of a team is each individual and it doesn’t happen automatically,” Ashley said.

Each person has to be coached and mentored and when it comes to the military that happens “generation after generation,” he said.

And the mentors can be soft spoken or come from the harsh voice of a drill sergeant, because “leadership means caring,” Ashley said.

Those honored were:

• Sgt. Joshua Granado, of the 18th Military Police Detachment who was named the 2013 Best Warrior Noncommissioned Office of the Year for the post. He was presented an Army Commendation Medal plus other items for being selected.

• Cpl. Isaac Milan of Bravo Company, 305th Military Intelligence Battalion, as the 2013 Best Warrior Soldier of the Year. He was presented an Army Commendation Medal as well.

• Gary Hayashi of the Electronic Proving Ground who was recognized as as Civilian of the Year. He was presented the Commander’s Award for Civilian Excellence.

• Rebecca Alwine who was named Military Spouse of the Year.

• Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Freshour, of the Joint Interoperability Test Command who was honored as Sailor of the Year.

• Sgt. Shawn Eriole, of the post’s Maine Corps Detachment, who was named the Marine of the Year. He was presented a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

• Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cosgrave, of the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion as the Instructor of the Year. He was not present at the ceremony as he is now assigned to Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

Also honored with retention awards were: Headquarters Company of the Intelligence Center of Excellence, the NCO Academy, the 62nd Army Band, the 18th Military Police Detachment and the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Nearly three dozen local businesses provided gifts valued at several hundred dollars to each individual.

Ashley said the fort’s support is both internal and external and the annual awards program highlights the connection.

To the civilian community he said, “Thanks for all you do for the soldiers, sailors and Marines.”

Photo by Beatrice Richardson | Sierra Vista Herald   Fort Huachuca Annual Installation Awards Banquet winners stand at Thunder Mountain Activity Centre on Fort Huachuca. Awardees from left are: Rebecca Alwine, Military Spouse of the Year; Gary Hayashi, Civilian of the Year; Sgt. Joshua Granado, 2013 Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Barber; Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, Jr, commander of the Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca; Cpl. Isaac Milam, 2013 Best Warrior Soldier of the Year; Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Freshour, Sailor of the Year; and Sgt. Shawn Eriole, Marine of the Year. Not pictured is: Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cosgrave, Instructor of the Year.