Thomas Bullen, with his sisters Emily, at right, and Diana, at graduation from Basic Training. Emily graduated from Clarkston High School in 2010 and Diana will be graduating this year. Photo provided

Thomas J. Bullen, 19, earned the 101st Airborne Division Soldier of the Year award for 2016.
“Knowing I represent one of the greatest and most historic divisions of all time, I’m very thankful with a great sense of pride,” said Bullen, a 2014 Clarkston High School graduate whose parents are John Bullen and Eileen Foley Bullen, and grandparents, Tom and Sally Bullen.
Events during the three-day competition included the Army Physical Fitness Test, M-4 rifle qualification, land navigation during the day and at night, written exams, combatives, warrior tasks, unknown distance run in full kit, and oral board before the division’s senior enlisted advisers.
“The thing that kept me going at night was the will to win and the thought of all of the people that have supported me to that point, family, friends, and superiors in the military,” Thomas said.
“My family and friends are my biggest supports,” he said. “When I first told them, they were all ecstatic and celebrated all of my victories as if they were their own.”
“I am overjoyed with Tommy’s award,” Eileen said. ” He joined the U.S. Army because he loves our country. The Army has been a great fit, providing the training, focus and discipline to help him become the soldier he is today. Tommy is a joy to be with and an inspiration to me by his words and actions. He strives to be the best he can be and treats others with dignity and respect. It has truly been an honor and privilege being his mom.”
“It’s a great vote of confidence to the beginning of a potential career,” said John Bullen. “It signifies very hard work and determination. I’m very proud to have him serving his country.”
The competition continues. Thomas will represent the Screaming Eagle division in the XVIII Airborne Corps Soldier of the Year board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June.
“We train daily starting with a workout in the morning, and study different topics in the morning,” he said. “After lunch, we ruck for 4 or 6 miles and then study a different topic in the evening. I think I will do good. With all of the training we are receiving and the support from everyone, I’m just going to do my best and try to make everyone proud.”
Spec. Thomas Bullen is a combat medic with Company C, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, Second Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
“I joined the Army because I didn’t think college was a good fit for my learning style and my overall personality so the military was the best choice,” he said. “I wanted to help people and make the biggest difference I could with my hand-on abilities.”
His family and upbringing helped motivate him, he said.
“I’m going to make the most of the opportunities that are given to me in the military and see where they take me from here,” he said.

  101st Airborne Division