Public Affairs Warriors Compete

Photo By Spc. Nathan Mach | Forest Park, Ill. - Spc. Adam Parent, a journalist from the 220th Public Affairs Detachment, proves his map reading and basic warrior skills to Sergeant 1st Class Peter Vines and Sgt. Thomas Tallman of the 318th Press Camp Headquarters at the unit during the Best Warrior Competition Saturday afternoon.  

FOREST PARK, IL, UNITED STATES

03.11.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Oposnow 

318th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

By Staff Sgt. Chris Oposnow, 318th Press Camp Headquarters

Forest Park, Ill. – Spc. Adam Parent had never heard of the Best Warrior Competition when he was told he would be competing in it. As a journalist with the 220th Public Affairs Detachment in Southfield, Michigan, Parent was barely a year out of basic combat training.
The Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers in their Army aptitude by conquering urban warfare simulations, board interviews, a physical fitness test, written exams, and Warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Symonds, Parent’s mentor for the event and a broadcaster for the 220th PAD had covered a past competition. He showed him a video he made of the event. It showed Soldiers from the 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command competing at the Best Warrior Competition hosted by the 89th Sustainment Brigade in Kansas City, Missouri.
“It was a step-by-step presentation of what I could expect,” said Parent. “Symonds’ video was an eye-opener. I discovered I have a lot to learn.”
“We’re not just public affairs. We’re Soldiers first,” said Symonds, “Just because we’re standing with a camera doesn’t mean we’re not going to get shot at when we’re in a combat zone.”
In the months leading up to the competition, Symonds and Parent work to together. It was a challenge to fit the budget time into their family and career life. Parent is a manager at a pharmacy, and Symonds is the owner of a funeral home and recently became a parent.
“It’s a team sport,” said Symonds. “Working with Parent to help him become a better Soldier has taught me what I need to do to be a better leader. We both have room to grow and taking on challenges like the Best Warrior Competitions helps us do that. I know failure can be scary and I’m really proud of him for stepping up.”
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• Date Taken: 03.11.2017
• Date Posted: 03.13.2017 12:56
• Story ID: 226650
• Location: FOREST PARK, IL, US
• Hometown: SOUTHFIELD, MI, US