2nd Infantry Division determines Best Warrior

Photo By Master Sgt. Reeba Critser | Award-winners from the 2nd Infantry Division's 2012 Best Warrior competition celebrate their accomplishments during an award ceremony.  

26, SOUTH KOREA

05.04.2012

Story by Master Sgt. Reeba Critser 

2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division

SOUTH KOREA - Best Warrior Competition for 2nd Infantry Division was held from April 30 to May 3 at Camp Casey and Rodriguez Live Fire Complex. Ten outstanding soldiers selected from the brigade-level competition compete for the title of the 2nd Infantry Division Best Warrior – four non-commissioned officers, four junior enlisted soldiers and two Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army.

On the first day, they were evaluated on their physical fitness with the standard Army test and pull-ups, and had to navigate terrain during the day and night.

On the second day, they were evaluated on their weapons marksmanship, knowledge and familiarity. They also had to write an essay and answer an oral examination.

They were tested on their first aid skills on the third day. They were also tested in their ability to respond to a chemical attack.

On the last day of testing, the 10 competitors conducted a 12-mile ruck march, tested their marksmanship again in a shoothouse and performed hand-to-hand combatives.

“Before I ETS [exit the service], I wanted to try and accomplish something worth and challenging,” said Sgt. Son Youngseo, 302nd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Inf. Div. “Though the weather is very hot, it was satisfying and I am very proud of myself specially after I laid down on my bed at night.”

The participants began each day at 5 a.m., and completed each day after 11 p.m.

The participants were:

2ID Best Warrior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year
- Staff Sgt. Neal Lang III, launcher section chief, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Fires Brigade, from Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Staff Sgt. Ashten Richardson, infantry squad leader, 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, from Iowa City, Iowa.
- Staff Sgt. Meirong Wang, human resources sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, from New York City, N.Y.
- Sgt. Aaron Cestaro, power generation equipment repairman, 4th Battalion (Attack), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, from Eastham, Mass.

2ID Best Warrior Soldier of the Year
- Spc. David Duncan, information technology specialist, HHBN, from San Antonio
- Sgt. Justin Volkmuth, signal system support specialist, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd CAB, from Brainerd, Minn.
- Pfc. Kenneth Duncan, multi-transmission systems operator and maintainer, 302nd BSB, 1st BCT, from Baton Rouge, La.
- Pvt. William Bruce, ammunition specialist, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Fires Bde., from Tazewell, Tenn.

2ID Best Warrior Soldier of the Year
- Sgt. Son Youngseo, automations clerk, 302nd BSB, 1st BCT, from Seoul
- Pvt. Kim Dal-eum, human resources specialist, 210th Fires Bde.

The winners were announced at a luncheon May 4. Lang, Volkmuth and Son will begin their preparation for the 8th U.S. Army Best Warrior competition May 20 to 25. The winners of the 8th U.S. Army competition will advance to the final competition and title of Department of the Army Best Warrior later this summer.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2012
• Date Posted: 05.04.2012 05:31
• Story ID: 87868
• Location: 26, KR