Photo By Sgt. Kirsti Anne Beckett | U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Isaiah Adamo, a motor transport operator assigned to the 7th...... read more read more
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Isaiah Adamo, a motor transport operator assigned to the 783rd Military Police Battalion, 7th Mission Support Command, provided critical expertise in base support and training scenario operations during the 21st Theater Sustainment Command 2026 Best Squad Competition, held April 18–24 in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
The best squad competition tests Soldiers on fundamental skills required across the Army, evaluating both individual proficiency and team execution under realistic conditions. For Adamo, serving as a grader placed him in a position to ensure standards were met while mentoring competitors.
“I came out here to grade the candidates - to uphold the standard,” Adamo said. “I know how to grade to standard. I’ve graded multiple times before through Expert Infantry Badge and Expert Soldier Badge competitions.”
During the competition, Adamo primarily evaluated Skill Level 1 and Skill Level 2 lanes, which assess foundational and advanced Soldier tasks. Skill Level 1 focuses on core competencies such as land navigation, map reading and weapons handling, while Skill Level 2 introduces more complex mission planning and execution requirements.
“I really enjoyed grading Skill Level 1 and 2 because I got to see how they executed their lane mission,” Adamo said. “They’re individual Soldier tasks that everyone should know.”
Adamo’s ability to mentor and assess competitors stems from his background as an infantryman, where he spent seven years honing his tactical skills before transitioning to the Army Reserve. His experience proved valuable not only in grading but also in supporting the broader operation of the competition.
Master Sgt. Juan Garcia-Berrios, assigned to the 7th Mission Support Command, served as the operations noncommissioned officer in charge of the support cell overseeing logistics and coordination. The 7th MSC facilitated these operations, ensuring training lanes were properly resourced and executed. Garcia-Berrios emphasized Adamo’s impact on the event and his professionalism.
“SGT Adamo’s presence was unmistakable as a key member of the 7th Mission Support Command team operating lanes,” Garcia-Berrios said. “A seasoned infantry Soldier, he leveraged his expertise to develop clear, effective assessments for squads under evaluation.”
In addition to grading, Adamo supported the mayor cell, which coordinates logistics and operational planning behind the scenes. The role offered him a different perspective from his previous experiences as a competitor.
“It’s different working in a mayor cell,” Adamo said. “Usually, I would be the one participating on the range, actually doing the tasks. Now I’m learning how things run behind the scenes.”
Adamo balanced his grading responsibilities with planning and preparation, ensuring each lane was executed to standard. His contributions extended beyond evaluation, assisting with route planning, lane setup and coordination with supporting teams.
Garcia-Berrios noted that Adamo’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence elevated the overall quality of the event.
“He consistently set the standard for unbiased, military-bearing interactions with competitors,” Garcia-Berrios said. “His dedication and mastery significantly elevated the credibility of the competition.”
Despite recovering from a significant injury, Adamo remained committed to his role and continued contributing to mission success. His resilience and adaptability allowed him to focus on developing additional skills while supporting Soldiers competing in physically demanding events.
“I took a little break and joined the Army Reserve to try it out,” Adamo said. “I think I might stay in. I’ve been teaching Soldiers and helping boost morale where I can.”
Adamo continues to support training operations while focusing on his recovery and ongoing service in the Army Reserve.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.1969 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2026 08:07 |
| Story ID: | 563758 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Former Infantryman Brings Critical Expertise to Reserve Operations During Best Squad Competition, by SGT Kirsti Anne Beckett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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