The best of the best: The 335th SC holds the 2011 Best Warrior of the Year competition

27th Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Sgt. Ryan Hohman

Date: 05.12.2011
Posted: 05.17.2011 08:11
News ID: 70512

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Soldiers with the 335th Signal Command (Theater) (Provisional) came together to congratulate their peers at the 2011 Best Warrior of the Year Ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, May 12.

The ceremony recognized the winners of the 335th SC Soldier and Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.

“Everyone that competed in this competition is a winner,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Meehan, who serves as the 335th SC command sergeant major.

The theme for this year’s ceremony is “The Best of the Best”. The three junior-enlisted soldiers and three NCOs who competed in this competition were selected through several processes and were considered to be the best soldiers within the 335th.

“We are having the best soldiers in our command come together to compete,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Meehan. “This competition is just not physical. These Soldiers were tested in every aspect that makes up a soldier.”

The competition these soldiers endured was comprised of several very challenging events. They where challenged physically with the Army Physical Fitness Test, a 10k March where soldiers carried their IBAs, weapons and a 35-pound ruck. They were challenged mentally with Army Warrior Training tasks, which included day and night land navigation, radio communications, first-aid tasks, and a M-16 qualification. They also had to complete a written examination and a 300 word essay. If that wasn’t enough, the soldiers also had to appear before a board comprised of seven sergeants major where their knowledge of military subjects was tested.

“The hardest part for me was the ruck march. I tried to run the whole thing and in the end I pulled it off,” said the NCO of the Year winner Staff Sgt. Carlos Eggins who serves as a security non-commissioned officer with the Headquarters Headquarters Company, 160th Signal Brigade, 335th SC, and a native of Killeen, Texas.

This competition also helped build camaraderie amongst the soldiers.

“This competition was hard, but I felt very prepared,” said the Soldier of the Year winner Pfc. Jonathan Budnik, who serves as a service desk technician with the 519th Signal Company, 54th Signal Battalion, 160th Sig. Brig., 335th SC, and a native of Henderson, Nev. “Everyone in my unit helped me prepare. I couldn’t of done it without them.”

With this being the first competition of it’s kind held by the 335th SC, Command Sgt. Maj. Meehan hopes the competitors continue to grow in the future.

“I hope this is something they will never forget,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Meehan. “These soldiers are the best of the best and I looking forward to them advancing in the competition and their careers. The 335th SC has set a standard of competition and how competition should be done.”

The winners of the Soldier and NCO of the Year will proceed forward and represent the 335th SC in the Army Network Enterprise Technology Command Soldier and NCO of the Year competition at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. The runners-up will represent the command at the Third Army Soldier and NCO of the Year competition.