HASTINGS, Neb. -- Soldier, student, and full-time worker are just a few of the roles Pfc. Quinton R. Cox has to fill in his hectic life. In spite of this, Cox, a Manhattan, Kan., native, was more than ready to place precedence in his role as an American soldier in the grueling Best Warrior Competition held by the 561st Regional Support Group Nov. 9-11, 2012, at the Greenlief Training Site in Hastings, Neb.
Cox, a truck driver attached to the 425th Transportation Company, joined 13 other competitors in an elite group vying for the title of ‘Best Warrior’.
“I’m really looking forward to [the competition],” said Cox. “It’s a great opportunity to separate myself from others.
Winning the competition isn’t the main goal in Cox’s military plans however.
Cox dreams of one day becoming an Army Ranger and wearing the coveted Ranger Scroll and Ranger Tab.
“I want to become a Ranger,” said Cox. “I’ve always wanted to be a soldier.”
His military aspirations began at a young age. Cox spent 13 years in the boy scouts, before joining his school’s 4-year JROTC program.
After he enlisted in the Army Reserves, Cox met a special operations soldier in Basic Combat Training that inspired him to become a Ranger.
“I remember thinking, I want to be like him when I grow up,” said Cox.
In the meantime, Cox juggles his time as a full-time student, worker, and reservist.
“Life gets really busy,” said Cox. “Time management is the key.”
The Best Warrior Competition is part of his preparations for his future career. A competition which itself could be called hectic, consisting of various Army Warrior Tasks including a 10 km. ruck march, rifle qualifications, disassembling an M-9 pistol, land navigation and a military board appearance.
“This is definitely the most challenging thing I’ve done so far,” said Cox. “It’s more than just land navigation or warrior tasks, there’s a lot of pressure and you have to fight through fatigue.”
Cox tried his best in spite of all the challenges.
“He’s done everything to best of his ability,” said Spc. Ryan D. Tabolt, a wheeled-vehicle mechanic with the 425th Trans. Co. and Cox’s sponsor throughout the competition. “He’s performed to the highest standards I’ve set for him.”
Looking forward, Cox will continue to prepare for future competitions and achieve his aspirations as a future Army Ranger.
“If you put a rifle in my hand and an enemy in front of me, I’m going to win that battle,” said Cox. “I’m going to do the best thing for me and serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment.”