Governor McCrory Recognizes Award-Winning North Carolina National Guard Tank Crew | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory addressed members of the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) today at their 2016 Leaders Workshop. The governor thanked Guard members for their service and innovative leadership, the theme of this year's workshop. During the program, Governor McCrory also recognized a NCNG tank crew which won the 2016 Sullivan Cup at Fort Benning, Georgia in May and was deemed the best tank crew in North America.

    "Winning the 2016 Sullivan Cup is one more example of how the North Carolina National Guard is prepared to succeed in any situation," said Governor McCrory. "This tank crew is the best of the best and has made North Carolina proud."


    The winning four-member crew, based in Southern Pines, competed for six days against 15 teams from other military branches. This was only the second time the NCNG competed in the Sullivan Cup and unlike most other teams, North Carolina's National Guard crew was comprised of part-time soldiers. Governor McCrory presented a Governor's Coin to the four crew members: crew commander, First Lieutenant John Dupre, New Bern; crew gunner, Sergeant Curtis Bowen, Winston-Salem; crew loader, Specialist Brandon Sinor, Morehead City; and crew driver, Specialist Phillip Hill, Greensboro.

    Governor McCrory also recognized NCNG Lieutenant Colonel Miriam Martinez. From 2014 until May 2016, LTC Martinez was detailed to the governor's Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C. where she worked with North Carolina's federal partners, especially during major weather events, and helped promote the governor's military, veterans, homeland security and public safety initiatives. In May, LTC Martinez was detailed back to North Carolina full time and selected for promotion to Colonel in October.

    To support all National Guard and military members, veterans and their families, Governor McCrory has championed many initiatives including the creation of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, implementing in-state tuition for veterans at universities and community colleges, funding veteran treatment courts and giving credit for military experience when veterans apply for positions including law enforcement, truck drivers and educators. These efforts have helped cut the North Carolina veteran unemployment rate in half since 2013.

    To build on this progress, Governor McCrory championed the Connect NC bond which included $70 million for three National Guard Readiness Centers.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov