Photo By Capt. Ian Shay | Pfc. Alissa Grant, wheeled vehicle mechanic, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait —This week Soldiers from Afghanistan and Kuwait competed to become the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Best Warrior. The Best Warrior competition is a five-day event that challenges every Soldier’s mental and physical limitations with a variety of demanding contests.
The competition featured a written test, Army physical fitness test, warrior tasks, 12-mile ruck march, land navigation, weapons qualification, drill and ceremony and finally a board in front of six sergeants major. To help each Soldier maximize their potential and preparation, a sponsor was assigned for each of the competitors from their assigned units.
Sgt. Maj. Ruby Murray, sergeant major (operational command post), 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), and Sgt. Maj. Thai Ly, operations SGM, 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), oversaw the competition and were anxious to find this year’s 1TSC Best Warriors that featured active duty, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers.
“I am looking for someone who has the heart to never quit and never leave a fellow warrior behind,” said Murray. “The best advice that I can give them is to never lose focus on their skill craft, always stay abreast with the latest and greatest of information that big Army puts out, and be that standard bearer for others to emulate and follow.”
The first day the Soldiers were literally put to the test as they answered a variety of questions ranging from Army regulation and Sexual Harassment Assault and Response Prevention to vehicle preventive maintenance checks and services. After exercising their brains on day one, the second day opened up with Soldiers taking an Army physical fitness test, followed by a scorching hot Kuwait afternoon filled with Army warrior tasks.
Each Soldier was tested on five separate AWTs. Whether it was evaluating a casualty under fire, PMCS or reacting to a chemical agent by properly decontaminating themselves, each Soldier proved up to the challenge.
A high level of camaraderie was apparent during each event.
“Just enjoy it [and] share your knowledge,” said Spc. Milbert Dacayana, policy technician, 266th Financial Management Support Center, 1TSC, currently deployed here. “It’s not about winning; it’s about being a leader and sharing your knowledge and skills.”
Murray echoed Dacayana’s sentiments.
“Teamwork is key, because from day one to the final day they all realize that, without each other’s strengths and weakness, that this five day event could have not been possible,” said Murray.
”Everyone is a winner in my eye regardless of what place they came in because they all had the courage [and] commitment to do something that others probably would never ever attempt.”
On Day three the competitors were transported north to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, for a long day of weapon qualification and land navigation. The 1st TSC and 143rd ESC cadre were set up and ready to go as the warriors arrived and helped expedite the competitors through their challenges.
The land navigation event began in the afternoon following the qualification challenge, and it was perhaps the toughest challenge of the week as shade was non-existent on the navigational course sprawled across open desert with few landmarks to guide the competitors.
The tough event did little to sway Pfc. Alissa Grant, wheeled vehicle mechanic, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, currently deployed to Bagram Air Force Base, Afghanistan.
“Stay motivated, keep your head up,” said Grant. “Even if you do not do well in one event, it does not mean you’re out of the game, so keep pushing through.”
After the long sweat soaked day, each Soldier prepared themselves for the 12-mile ruck march early on day four. Every competitor finished in under the three-hour time limit, and spirits were never higher as the warriors who finished quickly, dropped their ruck sacks and hustled back to pick up their battle buddies who were farther behind.
“It challenges me and really makes me push myself,” said Sgt. Steven Morales, ammunition sergeant, 10STB, 10SB. “Stuff like this is why I joined the Army.”
After a few hours rest, each Soldier prepared for the mystery event later that afternoon. The Soldier and their sponsors pondered what the event would include. Could it be combatives? Swimming? An obstacle course? In the end it was a drill and ceremony event, as the importance of drill and ceremony becomes center stage as the Army transitions to a garrison environment.
Spc. Carl Arenberg, a Reserve Soldier and horizontal construction engineer, 779th Engineer Company, currently stationed in BAF, admitted drill and ceremony was not his strongest event after finishing first in the 12-mile ruck event and second for males on the APFT.
“You can’t always be the best at everything, [so] work on your weaknesses and hone your strengths,” said Arenberg.
With four days down, the competitors and sponsors took the rest of the day to prepare for the final board event that would ultimately decide which non-commissioned officer and which enlisted Soldier would win best warrior and represent next month at the Army Central Command Best Warrior Competition.
“I already won, because the way I see it this is all about leadership and values. I discovered myself and the value of perseverance,” said Dacayana, before the results had been tallied.
It was close in the end but, Morales won for NCO category after a very impressive board performance, and Spc. Arenberg won for the junior enlisted category. Staff Sgt. Duwayne Barrett, senior financial analyst, 266th FMSC, and his Soldier, Dacayana, took both runner-up positions.
Sgt. Gordon Henry, plans and projects NCO, 330th Movement Control Battalion, 1TSC, placed first in the APFT for the males with a 333 and Grant finished first for the females with a 343. Staff Sgt. Jacob Cernek, travel and training noncommissioned officer, 108th Sustainment Brigade, scored highest on the weapons qualification event scoring 35 out of 40.
Morales expressed his thoughts on the competition.
“I enjoyed the entire experience overall,” said Morales. “My brigade proudly supported me, and everyone back home is fully supportive and that drove me to go above and beyond.”
Ly had a few words of advice for those Soldiers interested in competing in the future.
“They need to invest the time and effort, said Ly. “They need to sacrifice their comfort level to stretch and stress their mind and body. Set the goal and have the plan to work toward that goal. Most of all, find a positive mentor.
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2014 07:11 |
| Story ID: | 127024 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 575 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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