Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Stone | Staff Sgt. Andrew Fink, 409th Area Support Medical Company, 307th Medical Brigade,...... read more read more
WENDELL H. FORD REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER, Ky. - Eight Soldiers from the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) – four junior enlisted Soldiers and four noncommissioned officers -- arrived at Ford Regional Training Center on March 22, each of them believing they could become the 807th Medical Command’s next “Best Warrior” for their categories. However, only one junior enlisted Soldier and one NCO would achieve that title.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Fink, a combat medic with the 409th Area Medical Support Company, 307th Medical Brigade, won the noncommissioned officer category. Spec. Tobias MacDonald, a motor transport operator with the 330th Medical Brigade, won the junior enlisted category.
The Soldiers competing in this year’s competition represented three brigades and the 807th headquarters and headquarters company. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Breck, senior enlisted advisor for the 807th Medical Command, said the Best Warrior competition stretches soldiers to the limits of both their mental and physical strength.
“As you look at these warriors and what they go through [during Best Warrior], it's about everything from writing to land navigation, from weapons qualification to a ruck march,” said Breck. “To see that fight in them to want to be number one, to compete and go beyond –- it teaches these NCOs how to be better leaders. It shows them what they are capable of doing and how far they can push not only themselves, but how far they can push their Soldiers. It helps them realize what it takes to be a leader and to take that next step as an NCO.”
Staff Sgt. Dominic Capizzi, a Pittsburgh, California resident, said he’s built great camaraderie and strong bonds with the other competitors.
“Best warrior is a great experience,” said Capizzi, a member of the 352nd Combat Support Hospital, 2nd Medical Brigade. “I would encourage my wife, who is also in the Army, to do something like this just for the experience.”
“I went up against a lot of great Soldiers just to get here,” said Fink. “It takes determination and toughness to win this competition. Obviously there are setbacks in anything you do, but that determination helps you to be able to push through the adversity and focus on the next event, to be resilient and focus on the ultimate goal which is to be the division best warrior.”
The candidates didn't get much sleep during the four-day competition. They were also kept in the dark regarding what events were next and how many events would take place throughout the training day.
“I didn't think it would be this intense,” said MacDonald. “It's been event after event since we got here. Even the first day was jam-packed. I thought there'd be a little more downtime.”
Best warrior competitions, which have been happening for about 13 years, are unique. Even though the events are scored individually, the Soldiers often have to work as a team in order to successfully complete the events. The teamwork and resilience emphasized throughout the competition are things senior leaders hope will impact these Soldiers in the months and years after the competition.
“What's important is that they take this experience back with them to their units and that they teach other what it means to be a warrior,” said Breck.
In the end, the 807th could only give the title of “Best Warrior” to one junior enlisted Soldier and one noncommissioned officer from the command.
“To win the best warrior for the 807th is honestly humbling -- very humbling,” said Fink. “Just based on the competition that was here with all these NCOs, I had no idea who the winner would be. I had no clue if my hard work and dedication would pay off.”
Fink also expressed that the competition seemed close right until the very end.
“I think it came down to the wire. I don't think anyone knew or had a clue who was going to win,” Fink said.
“I just hope I can represent the 807th as much as they deserve at the USARC competition.”
For MacDonald, this was his first best warrior competition.
“I had a lot of nerves before the board, but I’m excited to be done, I'm excited I won, and I'm excited to go to Ft. Bragg now,” said MacDonald.
Fink and MacDonald will represent the 807th in the U.S. Army Reserve Command Best Warrior competition this May at Fort Bragg, N.C.
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2015 00:42 |
| Story ID: | 158302 |
| Location: | WENDELL H. FORD REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER, KY, US |
| Hometown: | COOK, MN, US |
| Hometown: | CRYSTAL LAKE, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 856 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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