1st MSC holds its 2017 Best Warrior Competition

Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | Sgt Richard Lopez, assigned to 390th Transportation Company, reports to the president of the board during the 1st Mission Support Command Best Warrior Competition held on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 17.  

PUERTO RICO

03.20.2017

Story by Spc. Anthony Martinez 

1st Mission Support Command

CAMP SANTIAGO, Puerto Rico - Demonstrating commitment, readiness, embodying the Warrior Ethos and representing the force of the Army’s future are just four qualities that describe the Soldiers participating in the 1st Mission Support Command (MSC) Best Warrior Competition (BWC) on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 13-17.

Part of the U.S. Army Reserve mission is to provide trained and ready combat units of action to the Army and these Soldiers are a direct representation of how the 1st MSC has been training to continue being the most capable, combat ready and lethal Federal Reserve force in the history of the nation.

During the intense competition, warriors tested their readiness by conquering the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), written exams, Warrior tasks and battle drills, radio communications, individual weapons qualification and board interviews as Drill Sergeants challenged and brought out the best warrior within each Soldier.

Physical fitness is a marker of individual readiness. By exemplifying individual readiness, these Soldiers add to their overall unit readiness, making them capable of responding to the Global Response Force Mission at any time. They begin the Army Physical Fitness Test by performing two minutes of pushups and sit-ups followed by a two-mile run. The competitors have been maintaining their physical readiness in preparation for this competition. They want to prove that they are the best and lead by example when it comes to meeting standards in the U.S. Army Reserve.

With an early morning start of the APFT, lighting became an obstacle for the competitors since it dark outside, and visibility was limited. “It was tough to run when you can’t see where you are stepping,” said Spc. Jeancarlo Caceres from 393rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB). “It didn’t affect my time, but having to pay attention to the road guards guiding us through the track was just one more thing to have in mind.”

Executing their tasks in changing environments helps ensure these Soldiers are ready to answer the Nations call at any given time, to any given place.

During the second day of the competition, drill sergeants unveiled the mystery event consisting of an obstacle course designed to test the determination and readiness of all warriors competing to be the best. This event consisted of tire flips, fireman’s carry, low and high crawl, tire pulls and culminated after each competitor recited the Soldiers Creed as loud as they could.

The most physically and mentally demanding and challenging event for the 1st MSC BWC competitors proved to be the 10K Ruck March. With a 35-pound rucksack, these Soldiers had one hour and thirty minutes to cross the finish line. This event separated the “best” from the “great.” Only three competitors crossed the finish line in the time allotted. Sgt. Ruben Chagolla, assigned to the 35th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, crossed the finish line with forty seconds left on the clock. “It was pretty tough,” said Chagolla. “It wasn't what I was expecting. I've competed in two other Best Warrior Competitions, and they were pretty relaxed compared to this one."

Best Warrior Competitions bring out the best in each and every competitor, motivating them to strive to leave as a better trained and ready Soldier. Drill Sergeant Gabriela Echevarria, assigned to the 1st of 389th Drill Sergeant Battalion, felt the desire to better herself with her individual and combat readiness skills during her time as a competitor at the 1st MSC 2016 Best Warrior Competition.

"During the competition last year, I was challenged with many tasks and battle drills that as Reservists, we tend to forget,” said Echevarria. “It was challenging to not only perform at my best but perform to standards.”

“After seeing the drill sergeants performance and explain the correct way to execute tasks, as subject matter experts, it gave me the motivation to become a better Soldier and sergeant," continued Echevarria. "I wanted to not only perfect my skills but have the ability to teach others on those warrior tasks and battle drills."

Echevarria stated that being on the other side of the competition gives her a different outlook. "I see the competitors going through the same things I went through last year," she said. "This year I can help them, even though it is a competition, improve on accomplishing certain tasks to standards and it is very rewarding to make a difference."

Last year's competition was a very close one; it came down to the final event to determine who the winners were and this year was no exception. The results were finally revealed after the board interviews concluded.

In the Noncomissioned officer group, Sgt. Richard Lopez, assigned to the 390th Transportation Company, took second place. "I feel great," said Lopez. "I know I am here competing among the best of the 1st MSC and there is no shame in winning second place. I appreciate everything I did here, and at the end of the day, I learned a lot."

Spc. Jose Ramirez, assigned to the 448th Engineer Battalion won second place in the Junior enlisted category. "I feel humbled to be here," said Ramirez. "I think that I can do better next year."

Spc. Janmichael Armijo was named the winner in the Junior enlisted category and Sgt. Ruben Chagolla won the Noncommissioned Officer category.

"It took a lot of sacrifices to get up to this point," said Armijo. "The competition was hard, and the competitors motivated and pushed me to where I needed to be to finish on top."

After the announcement of the Noncommissioned Officer winner, Chagolla stated he was "shocked" on his first place win. "I've been trying for so long, and I have always try to exceed the standard when it comes to everything in the military," said Chagolla. "This is something that's been long overdue for me. I have been training for a long time, and this means a lot to me."

Armijo and Chagolla will represent the 1st Mission Support Command in the upcoming U.S. Army Reserve Command Best Warrior Competition this summer.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2017
• Date Posted: 03.20.2017 16:21
• Story ID: 227432
• Location: PR