Photo By Kathleen Pettaway-Clarke | Spc. Christian Kerkado-Colon (right), a military policeman at Corpus Christi Army...... read more read more
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Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas —Just as the world eagerly anticipated the start of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Spc. Christian Kerkado-Colon eagerly anticipated the start of the U.S. Army Materiel Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, July 25-28.
The BWC recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos and represent the force of the future.
Representing Corpus Christi Army Depot and U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Kerkado, a finalist in the competition, knew that this would be his Olympic opportunity to move onto the next phase of the U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition.
Kerkado, a native of Puerto Rico, is stationed at CCAD via the Personnel Force Innovation program. The program matches the needs of an organization with Army Guard and Reserve members desiring active-duty tours. Kerkado chose CCAD as a duty station.
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua McKee, department supervisor, said, "Spc. Kerkado is a well-rounded Soldier. He is always motivated with a positive attitude and strong resiliency. CCAD is proud and fortunate to have him.”
Kerkado said that, although the competition may be more challenging to him because English is his second language, he is ultimately a stronger and more resourceful competitor by facing the challenge head-on.
Day 1, July 25 at 2 a.m. - The competition begins
The activities within this multi-day competition were all designed to test Soldiers’ endurance in order to find the best-rounded individual.
The first morning started with a land navigation exercise in which competitors employed map-reading skills to navigate between two points on the map using a compass. Following the land navigation exercise, the participants’ general military training aptitudes were scored via a quiz and an essay. The day ended with M240B, M249 and M2 range activities where candidates were scored on their accuracy and proficiency on the various weapons systems that included disassembly and reassembly, performing function checks and addressing weapon malfunctions prior to qualifying.
Kerkado said he was nervous but came to win and felt he had completed the events successfully.
Day 2, July 26 at 5 a.m. – Putting on the readiness war face
Kerkado participated in events that continuously tested the strengths that earned him the nickname “Special K”.
Each BWC competitor had to complete an Army Combat Fitness Test with the sole goal of testing combat readiness. Kerkado managed to flash a smile while expressing that he was experiencing a level of fatigue not uncommon at this point in the competition. Resistance to this fatigue was the very essence of this event. The ACFT consists of a three-repetition maximum dead lift, standing power throw, hand release push-arm extension, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck or plank and a two-mile run.
The day ended with a board consisting of five sergeants major who fall within AMC. Candidates were evaluated on their ability to communicate with leadership, overall communication skills, military bearing and answers to situational questions.
Day 3, July 27 – Competitors become teammates
As the exhaustion began to take its toll and smiles turned into grimaces, Kerkado had another triumphant day. He participated in a stress shoot where he had to pull causalities to safety during a M4 and M9 range and tactical combatives tournament that displayed his personal courage, confidence and resiliency.
It was during Day 3 that a transition occurred amongst the BWC competitors – despite the competitiveness among the Soldier athletes, esprit de corps blossomed. Noncommissioned officers began to mentor the young Soldiers like Kerkado, who listened to their advice and applied it at each challenge. Soldiers supported one another by teambuilding. There was reassurance between them that they would finish the competition together and celebrate with the victor.
Day 4, July 28 at 3 a.m. – When inner grit meets outer grit
The competitors embarked on a 12-mile foot march while wearing 40-lb. rucksacks and braving the darkness and treacherous terrain. Kerkado did not disappoint – he was one of three people who made the 12-mile hike in the allotted three hours.
“I looked forward to the rucksack march because it’s a mental exercise and you realize how much the human body can take. At times my body felt like it was going to shut down, but I kept moving. One foot after the other,” said Kerkado.
A final group breakfast of MREs and fresh oranges was served before the final mystery event. This event consisted of clearing buildings, providing aid to causalities and reacting to enemy contact.
Kerkado said, “I’m tired,” but showed maturity beyond his years simulating clearing out a town and pulling a fellow Soldier to safety to complete the competition.
According to AMC G-1 Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Uribe, a tired or sleep-deprived Soldier, “may deploy into the worse environment, where execution of the mission is still expected.” AMCOM Headquarters and Headquarters Co. 1st Sgt. Erika Vargas, added “Whomever wins is the Soldier you want by your side in a convoy or any war environment.”
“Spc. Kerkado is the type of Soldier all leaders hope to have in their formation. He has proven to himself, his competitors and the judges twice now that he is the best warrior at the AMCOM and AMC level. The competition is only going to get tougher and he has what it takes to keep winning – #winning matters,” said CCAD Sgt. Maj. William Peden.
The competition was grueling and tested each Soldier's inner and outer grit thrown into various real-life combat situations. The participants had to overcome fatigue as they battled thru intense physical activities over long durations of time on rugged terrain. In addition to overcoming the physical woes of muscle cramps and spasms, the Soldiers had to employ mental control of thinking and responding in stressful situations.
The competition had highly accomplished Warriors who genuinely represented the very best of Soldiers. Through the spirit of the contest came the unavoidable elevation of self, Kerkado rose to the challenge of the “best warrior”, earning admiration from leaders and peers alike.
The 2021 BWC competitors have become friends and garnered mutual respect for one another. No matter the difference in their strategies to finish, the competitor’s goal remains the same: to prove they are the best.
Kerkado definitely proved he deserved to be in the competition and the evaluators of the competition saw his pure effort, will and talent.
On July 30, Kerkado was selected as the AMC Soldier of the Year.
CCAD Commander Col. Joseph H. Parker said, “We are all very proud of Spc. Kerkado and his accomplishments. It was special seeing his family follow along on social media, too. Spc. Kerkado embodies the ‘I am CCAD’ culture and we are ready for his competition at the Army level. Good luck and winning matters!”
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2021 17:09 |
| Story ID: | 402370 |
| Location: | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, CCAD’s SPC Kerkado wins AMC Best Warrior Competition, by Kathleen Pettaway-Clarke, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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