Student named soldier of the year
- posted: 30 Oct. 2007
- scrollnews@byui.edu
For Jonathan Prüsse, it’s an honor to be chosen by his superiors as one worthy of merit. To be selected as Idaho Soldier of the Year is something else.
Specialist Prüsse, a sophomore studying history, was selected earlier this year by his superiors from the local unit, called a battery, to represent them at the Southeast Idaho Battalion Board of Review. Prüsse is the first soldier from B Battery 1-148 Field Artillery to win the statewide award.
“I feel extremely privileged to have taken it,” Prüsse said of the award. “The plain and simple fact that my battery level superiors would nominate me makes me feel very privileged and honored.”
At the battalion level, Prüsse and soldiers across southeast Idaho were required to write essays and participate in skills tests, including physical training, land navigation, weapons, first aid, common tasks and training tests.
At the state level, finalists dressed for a uniforms inspection and answered a barrage of questions.
“Questions could be anything from current events to military history,” Prüsse said. “If you can think about it and it deals with the military, it’s something they could have asked.”
As he anticipates the regional competition in a few months and perhaps qualifying for the national level, Prüsse is quick to credit his fellow competitors for performing well at the state brigade level.
However, Prüsse’s wife, Brita, a fine arts graduate, notes his modesty.
“I don’t think anyone else deserves it more than Jonathan,” she said. “There’s no one more dedicated to the American service than he is.”
Since then, his reason for being in the military has changed, he said.
“In the time I’ve spent, I’ve gained a very, very deep love and respect for my country. It’s a great honor to serve, it really is,” Prüsse said.
Prüsse has already served in Iraq, a place he remembers fondly. Brita, however, doesn’t like to think much about deployment.
“I figure I’ll worry about it when it happens,” she said. “I just consider it an honor to be the wife of a good soldier.”
Noting the future ahead, Brita said, “He’ll make a great sergeant or officer, whichever one he chooses in the near future.”
As for the next step in the competition, Prüsse focuses on one thing at a time.
“We’ll just see what happens at regionals,” he said. 
