Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Deborah Runkles-Jenkins | U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Erin Bridges and Spc. Ethan Berton pose with a congratulatory...... read more read more
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -The 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) hosted its Best Warrior Competition 2015 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 6-8, 2015. The goal was to select the command’s best of its best warriors to compete at the next higher level.
Best Warrior Competition (BWC) is a Department of the Army challenge consisting of a compilation of events that test basic Soldier skills, physical fitness and endurance, and military knowledge. Winners progressively face more intensive competition, ultimately determining the U.S. Army’s Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.
Soldiers representing their company, battalion or brigade from within the 311th endured a rigorous three-day weekend of events that tested them both physically and mentally.
The goal was met when Army Reserve Sgt. Erin Bridges won the noncommissioned officer category and Army Reserve Spc. Ethan Berton won the enlisted Soldier category.
Bridges, a transportation management coordinator with the 711th Transportation Company (SPOC), 483rd Transportation Battalion, out of Vallejo, California said she enjoyed the challenge and was honored to be a part of BWC.
The Benicia, California, native said she also won a sense of personal pride since she was named the 311th ESC Best Warrior in 2014 in the enlisted Soldier category when she was a specialist.
“The hills don’t get less steep and the run doesn’t get any shorter,” she said. “But I knew what to expect and I worked really hard to come back and show that I could maintain.”
Knowing what to expect at this level of competition was helpful, Bridges acknowledged, and she shared her past experiences the Soldiers competing with her to help them prepare as well, she said.
“All the competitors are winners in my book,” Bridges said.
Berton, a signal support specialist with the 483rd Transportation Battalion, 650th Regional Support Group, in Vallejo, California, said he was speechless when his name was announced as the winner. He said he felt a moment of joy, which culminated into the realization that the next level of competition was just months away.
Berton said he felt it was an honor to compete in BWC because it showcased how he felt about serving his country.
"Pride," he said. "I really enjoyed competing with Soldiers who want to be here and who have a sense of pride in the military. That's what this competition is all about."
After training for months to get ready, the American Canyon, California, native expressed one thought on the possibility of winning the event.
“I didn’t come out here not to win. I want to win,” said Berton.
And that is just what he did.
Bridges and Berton will go on to compete in the 79th Sustainment Support Command Best Warrior Competition 2015 in May.
Runner-up in the non-commissioned officer category was Army Reserve Sgt. David Gomez, an automated logistics specialist with the 693rd Quartermaster Company out of Bell, California.
Runner-up in the enlisted Soldier category was Army Reserve Pfc. Caesar Enriquez, an information technology specialist with the 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion out of El Monte, California.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.09.2015 20:58 |
| Story ID: | 156474 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | AMERICAN CANYON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CA, US |
| Hometown: | RIVERSIDE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | VALLEJO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | VICTORVILLE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 229 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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