Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Dallas Pocaigue, 9th MSC Non-commissioned Officer of the year (center...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Jason Kaneshiro, 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORT SHAFTER FLATS, Hawaii – The winners of the 9th Mission Support Command Best Warrior Competition were announced in a ceremony here, May 12.
Sgt. 1st Class Dallas Pocaigue, senior food service instructor with the 4960th Multi-Functional Training Brigade, 9th MSC, earned the title of Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, and Spc. Chung Lee, 797th Engineer Company, 411th Engineer Battalion, 9th MSC, claimed the title of Soldier of the Year.
The two each received a certificate of achievement and an Army Achievement Medal for rising above their peers in the regional contest.
Throughout the weeklong BWC, the contenders were judged on their prowess in military skills including weapons proficiency and a physical fitness test. They were also evaluated on their appearance and knowledge by a board of senior enlisted leaders.
Pocaigue, a Hawaii resident and Guam native, dominated the field in the Modern Army Combatives event taking down every opponent he faced on the mat. But despite his consistent takedowns and choke holds, this juggernaut of unarmed combat said he felt all the competitors worked equally hard and any of them could’ve taken the top spot.
“I was really excited and surprised that I was picked,” said Pocaigue. “It was pretty tough.”
Lee, a Guam resident and native of South Korea, said he too wasn’t expecting to win.
“I was really surprised to be selected as the best warrior,” Lee said. “I’m really happy right now.”
Lee said the most difficult part of the competition for him was squaring off against the other soldiers during the combatives event as he is not used to fighting. His best event was the 10-kilometer road march where he barreled past the rest of the fold to cross the finish line first.
Command Sgt. Maj. David Yamamoto, senior non-commissioned officer of the 9th MSC and president of the 9th MSC BWC board of sergeants major, said he was impressed with the performance and fortitude displayed by Pocaigue, Lee and the rest of the competitors.
“These soldiers did a lot of great work this week,” Yamamoto said. “It seems like every year, the standard gets better and better.”
Pocaigue and Lee both know their journey is not yet complete.
The duo will move on to Fort McCoy, Wis. to represent Hawaii and the Pacific Army Reserve when they compete against the best Reservists nationwide in the Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, July 14–21.
Pocaigue said there were other areas he intends to improve upon before moving on to the national competition and he will pass on everything he learns to the soldiers in his unit.
“I’m going to prepare for the next level by training a lot harder and a lot faster,” said Pocaigue. “We are going to go out there with a bang.”
Lee also expressed his enthusiasm for the next level of competition.
“I am so excited that I am going to Wisconsin to compete with all the other competitors from all the other reserve commands,” said Lee.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2012 18:31 |
| Story ID: | 88425 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 105 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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