U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Vorobyeva-Santiago earns Expert Soldier Badge

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VICENZA, Italy - Command Sgt. Maj. Nadejda Vorobyeva-Santiago, assigned to 414th Contracting Support Brigade (414th CSB), recently earned the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) after completing a grueling two-week training and one week of testing. Vorobyeva-Santiago's achievement serves as both a personal milestone and a powerful example of leadership for Soldiers within the 414th CSB and the Army.

The ESB is a rigorous evaluation of physical fitness, Soldier skills and mental endurance. It is designed to test candidates' resilience and ability to perform under stress. For Vorobyeva-Santiago, the badge represents more than just a personal accomplishment; it's an opportunity to set an example for her Soldiers, demonstrating that leadership requires not only guiding others but also pushing yourself to excel, regardless of rank or career stage.

"Earning the ESB is about setting the example," said Vorobyeva-Santiago. "As senior leaders, we have a responsibility to maintain standards, readiness and Soldier skills. Junior Soldiers are always looking up to us, and by earning this badge, I'm showing them that even the most difficult tasks are achievable and to never stop striving for excellence."

Vorobyeva-Santiago's path to the ESB was not without personal challenges. Just before beginning the training, she lost her stepfather, a retired U.S. Army Colonel who played a significant role in her decision to join the military. Despite the emotional toll, Vorobyeva-Santiago found strength in his memory, using it as motivation to push through the challenges of ESB.

"My stepfather brought us to the United States and encouraged both me and my sister to join the military," she said. "He was a huge part of why I'm a Soldier, and I wanted to make him proud with this achievement."

Throughout the intense training, Vorobyeva-Santiago highlighted the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges. "I wasn't doing this alone," Vorobyeva-Santiago said. "I had my team and my family supporting me throughout the whole event. We motivated each other to push forward, and that made all the difference."

"My hope is to inspire other Soldiers, regardless of their rank, to pursue goals like this one. Whether you're a junior Soldier or a senior noncommissioned officer (NCO), it's never too early or too late to strive for excellence," she said.

Vorobyeva-Santiago's advice for Soldiers who want to earn the ESB is simple: "Find that inner motivation and desire to achieve it." She emphasized the importance of preparation, stating that taking annual training seriously and staying focused during the event are key to success.

Her message for future leaders in the Army is equally clear: "Be the leader that you want to be led by." This philosophy shapes Vorobyeva-Santiago's approach to leadership and serves as a guide in her efforts to motivate and inspire others to reach their full potential.

The Expert Soldier Badge is a symbol of more than just physical achievement; it represents pride in one's role as a Soldier and a commitment to leadership.

"Have pride in what you do," Vorobyeva-Santiago stated. "This is a huge achievement, and it reflects your dedication to being the best Soldier you can be."

Vorobyeva-Santiago didn't stop challenging herself after ESB. Within seven days of completing the 12-mile ruck march, she ran 26.2 miles in the Athens Marathon and scored an impressive 551 on her Army Combat Fitness test (ACFT), a score that exceeds the Army's standard for excellence.

As she now wears the ESB, Vorobyeva-Santiago remains focused on continuing to set the example for her team and inspire the next generation of Army leaders.

"Earning this badge is a reminder that no matter where you are in your career, you can always strive to be better," she concluded. "I hope my achievement motivates others to do the same."

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SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

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