We are proud to recognize Staff Sergeant Drew Schneider as the Soldier of the Quarter for Q1 2026.

SSG Schneider’s career within the 3rd Infantry Division spans back to 2018, marking over seven years of dedicated service, growth, and resilience. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt, overcome challenges, and continuously develop both as a soldier and a leader. His journey, from Fireteam Member to Staff Sergeant, reflects not only progression in rank, but a commitment to mastering multiple disciplines across the unit.

His operational experience is extensive, having participated in dozens of combat missions across major campaigns including Operation Freedom Sentinel (Mali), Operation Blue Giant (Lithuania), Operation Crimson Sand (Turkey), Operation Northern Lights (Finland), and Operation Egyptian Collapse (Egypt). Whether serving on the frontlines or in critical support roles, SSG Schneider has consistently contributed to mission success in high-tempo and complex environments.

Originally trained as a Combat Medic (68W), SSG Schneider has served in key medical leadership roles, including Squad Medic, Assistant Platoon Medic, and Platoon Medic, where his expertise directly impacted the survivability and effectiveness of his fellow soldiers. His ability to lead under pressure and make critical decisions has made him a trusted asset in both training and combat scenarios.

Beyond the line, SSG Schneider has continued to expand his skillset across multiple sections. He has served within the Force Improvement Group (S3) as an Administrative Cadre and currently operates within the Corps of Engineers (S4) as an Electronic Maintenance Chief (94W)—demonstrating a rare level of versatility across operational, medical, and technical domains.

His commitment to professional development is evident through an extensive list of qualifications, including Ranger, Pathfinder, Airborne, Air Assault, Combat Medic, and Advanced Radio Communications. Most recently, he has taken on instructional roles, teaching the Combat Lifesaver Course and supporting the Reforger Medical Qualification Course, further shaping the next generation of soldiers within the unit.

SSG Schneider’s distinguished awards include the Legion of Merit, Soldier’s Medal, Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Medical Badge (3rd Award), Combat Action Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation, among many others. These accolades reflect a career defined by excellence, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to duty.

Through every role and challenge, SSG Schneider has remained committed to the mission, his soldiers, and the continued success of the 3rd Infantry Division. His leadership, adaptability, and professionalism set the standard for what it means to be a Non-Commissioned Officer.

Get to Know SSG D.Schneider: Soldier of the Quarter Interview

Tell us a little about yourself?

You can probably guess my name, it's the same as my unit name, but if you missed it it's Drew Schneider. I am an English Major in my last year and I have two minors. One in Film History and Criticism and another in Military History. I live in New Mexico and am currently planning on joining the Navy through OCS after school, or going through Law school to become a lawyer.

Why did you join 3rdID and what keeps you here?

To be honest? The shadowboxes and the unit uniforms haha. I had been in another MILSIM for a year or two, and had become their OIC of the Aviation detachment. We closed that unit down due to our leader going to college, and so I looked at other options. The 3rd had a sick uniform to showcase your achievements, where before I had had a google slide. To answer what keeps me here it's probably the duties I have. I've really gotten into the Arma Reforger map tools, as you all can probably tell, and have been having a blast building and scripting. It's really been enjoyable to creatively design assets, maps, and tools that enable our unit to have show the stopping assets which drew me to the unit in the first place.

Any favorite/funny/memorable moment throughout your whole time in the unit?

A LOT, but probably not many that I should share here :)

Any advice to give to your fellow soldiers to help them in their careers here?

Don't do things for the unit that you don't enjoy. Yes, you have responsibilities if you have a leadership position, but one of the things that makes a good leader a great leader is knowing what yourself. If you aren't enjoying your career you should try different positions, swap to a different element, figure out what you enjoy, because at the end of the day this is a hobby, and if you aren't enjoying yourself it's going to be a pretty short lived one.

What army value is the most important to you and why?

Honor. I have taken a lot of classes on literature with some of my favourites being on on King Arthur and Robinhood. I have also taken classes with our NROTC community here at the school I attend. Both have taught viewpoints on what honor is and what it should be. I have learned that honor in every day life is neither heroic, nor is it a mundane skill to be utilized as an ordinary skill. The ideals that each discipline of thought push forward meet together to form what I have come to understand honor as. It's not quite the grandiose acts of valor we see in the fantasy tales, although these do very much happen; nor is it a managerial skill to be learned and practiced, and used as a tool. It is something which sits quietly behind you and casts an intensity around oneself. When you meet someone with true honor it shows through how they conduct themselves. From small gracious acts, to tough decisions made for the betterment of those around them, honor is less an individual "thing" that can be taught or learned, but the culmination of many "things" which together form the ideal of honor itself.

What motivates you to keep pushing forward in the unit and do you have any goals for the future within the unit?

I don't quite know. I tend to not look too closely at what motivates me to stay interested. It's like Schrodinger's box, if I look too closely, the interest might not be there. No goals as such either, I like the position I'm in and the duties I hold. Maybe I'll have interest in something later down the line, but only the future can tell.

Any valuable lessons you have learned while being in the unit?

I’ve further strengthened my foundations on the importance of teamwork, communication, and discipline. Being in the unit has shown me how much smoother things go when everyone knows their role and works together toward the same goal. It has also helped me improve patience, adaptability, and leadership, especially during training and operations where staying calm and focused matters most.

What's your favorite thing about the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit?

My favorite thing about the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit is the banter I can have with everyone. Even while the unit stays structured and focused, there’s still a lot of humor and good moments that make being part of it enjoyable. It helps build strong camaraderie and makes the experience feel more welcoming and fun.

Congrats SSG!