Courtesy Photo | Spc. Jessica Storch, a medic with the 1984th U.S. Army Hospital, disassembles an M2-50...... read more read more
By Spc. Phil Regina
FORT SHAFTER FLATS, Hawaii — The 9th Mission Support Command named a Fairbanks resident as its “best warrior” and the U.S. Army-Reserve Pacific Soldier of the year, here, April 24.
Spc. Jessica Storch, a medic with the 1984th U.S. Army Hospital, earned the titles by beating out fellow soldiers in the 9th MSC’s annual Best Warrior Competition.
The exhausting five-day event pushed Storch to her mental and physical limits.
“Going through the competition, there were a lot of moments where it would have been easy to quit,” said Storch. “But when it gets tough like that you need to just stay motivated and keep going.”
The road to becoming “best warrior” out of the entire Army Reserve in the Pacific was no easy task for Storch. Ultimately, she rose above her fellow top-notch Army Reservists in various events including an Army Physical Fitness Test; a six-mile road march; weapons qualification; Army knowledge; land navigation; reaction to indirect fire; and combat life saving skills.
“The road march was pretty hard; I really had to dig deep to finish,” explained Storch. “I was the first of the females to finish the event and came in fourth overall. It was tough, but it always seems easier when you’re reflecting upon a challenge than when you’re actually going through it.”
Sgt. Amber Ross, an assistant squad leader with the 1984th, served as Storch’s sponsor, accompanying Storch and helping her prepare for the various events throughout the competition. For Ross, the win came at no surprise.
“Storch really is one of our best Soldiers,” said Ross. “She has always been motivated to go that extra mile and to do more than what’s expected of her. She even volunteered to attend the Warrior Leadership Course early, as a private first class which is normally done when a soldier reaches specialist.”
With a win at this competition, Storch will accompany Sgt. Gerald Manansala, the 9th MSC’s non-commissioned officer of the year, in representing the more than 3,000 soldiers of the 9th MSC at the Army Reserve-wide Best Warrior competition this summer, held at Fort McCoy.
Although Storch spent a great deal of time preparing for the competition, she in no way expected the win.
“When they called my name as the winner, I couldn’t believe it,” said Storch. “I just can’t wait to call my dad. This win may have come as a surprise for me, but my dad told me I was going to bring home the trophy even before I left for Honolulu.”
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2011 20:00 |
| Story ID: | 69332 |
| Location: | FORT SHAFTER FLATS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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