Photo By Sgt. Scott Akanewich | Spc. Jonathan Chacon, 163rd Ordnance Company, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command,...... read more read more
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FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. - Spc. Jonathan Chacon knows only one way to approach challenges – head on.
Chacon, of the 163rd Ordnance Company, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, recently took home the trophy as top Soldier at the 79th Sustainment Support Command Best Warrior Competition at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., April 23-26.
The Best Warrior Competition is a test of soldiers’ mental, physical and emotional toughness and endurance. It includes a vast array of events designed to test tactical and technical ability and knowledge, ranging from an Army Physical Fitness Test to weapons qualification, to a board appearance. The competition is divided into junior-enlisted and non-commissioned officer categories, with the winner of each moving on to the next level. In this case, the seven Soldiers assembled were vying for a spot in the U.S. Army Reserve BWC Finals at Fort McCoy, Wisc. in July.
The gung-ho, all-out, take-no-prisoners mentality Chacon displays in everything he does is simply his nature, he said.
“When I go out and do something, I’m representing my name,” said Chacon. “I’m also representing my unit and the Army as a whole and I don’t want to let any of those things down.”
Chacon’s sponsor, Sgt. Donovan Brunkalla, 163rd Ordnance Company, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, knew he was selecting the right man for the mission in Chacon, he said.
“I knew he would excel,” said Brunkalla. “If I put his name out there, he’s going to do it right.”
According to Brunkalla, this intensity and motivation extends far beyond just the field environment.
“His strength, work ethic and toughness are second to none,” he said. “Even at battle assemblies, he’s always excited about everything we do all the time.”
Chacon, a La Puente, Calif., native, had won the 311th ESC BWC to reach the 79th regional level, but his success at earlier stages of the game didn’t go to his head or inflate his ego, he said.
“Coming into this competition, I knew I needed improvement from the last one,” said Chacon.
One of the chinks in his armor was land navigation, an area Brunkalla helped him with tremendously with nothing more than a simple phrase, he said.
“He just told me ‘slow is smooth, smooth is fast,’” said Chacon. “I just took my time and really thought it through this time.”
This newfound wisdom served Chacon well on the rugged Central California terrain, as he found all four points during the day land navigation and two-of-three on the night course.
In addition to his high-speed soldiering, Chacon also balances a frenetic schedule in his civilian life, working two jobs and maintaining strong relationships within his family. A typical day for Chacon usually consists of a night shift working for the UPS, followed by security work from 12-8 a.m. It’s not uncommon for him to put in 45-50-hour work weeks on top of his family and Army Reserve obligations.
Chacon’s mantra is one of heart and desire.
“If you’re going to do something, do it all the way,” he said. “It’s one thing to say you’re going to do something and another to actually do it.”
Although he has always conquered physical challenges such as Army Physical Fitness Tests, road marches, land navigation and weapons qualification with relative ease, Chacon admitted he had some work to do on the other side of the ledger.
“I knew I had to focus a lot more on book knowledge,” said Chacon. “I used to fear Army Regulations and Field Manuals, until I put more time and effort into studying.”
Regardless of the result of the competition, Chacon already knew he would be a better soldier for the experience of going against his peers at such a high level.
“Win or lose, I’m proud of myself,” he said.
After the scores were counted up, he out-pointed his comrades-in-arms to take the title and book a trip to Fort McCoy, Wisc. for the U.S. Army Reserve BWC Finals in July.
After the smoke had cleared and the shouts of celebration had died down, Brunkalla paid Chacon perhaps the highest compliment one soldier can to another.
“If I were to pick one soldier to share a foxhole with in combat, it would be him,” said Brunkalla. “To me, that’s my highest honor.”
In the end, it was Chacon’s perseverance that paved his path to victory, said Brunkalla.
“It’s a testament to his character,” he said.
By no means is Chacon done, though.
“I want to make it to the Department of the Army level and show Reserve soldiers are just as good as any,” he said. “It’s a point that needs to be proven.”
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2012 18:41 |
| Story ID: | 87758 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, US |
| Hometown: | LA PUENTE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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