FORT SHAFTER FLATS, Hawaii – An Anchorage, Alaska-based Army reserve soldier has traveled nearly 3,000 miles and is currently competing in the Pacific Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition held here and at Schofield Barracks.
Sgt. Joseph Clark, a pharmacy technician for the 1984th U.S. Army Hospital, 9th Mission Support Command, joins the ranks of eight other soldiers who are battling it out for the coveted titles of Soldier and Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.
Clark and the other participants represent the best soldiers and NCOs from major subordinate units within the Pacific Army Reserve, which encompasses Alaska, American Samoa, Japan, Korea, Saipan, Guam and the Islands of Hawaii.
The grueling, six-day competition, which kicked off May 7, pushes the soldiers to their mental and physical limits while testing their endurance, strength and motivation. Thus far, the soldiers have completed events such as an Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons marksmanship, land navigation and modern Army combatives.
Because his unit has won the competition the past four years, for Clark, bringing home the title of NCO of the Year has been the mission since day one.
“Keeping the winning tradition going in the 1984th has put a lot of pressure on me to not come home empty handed,” said Clark. “But honestly, from the time I found out I would be competing, my sight has been set on that prize. It’s been that extra push I needed.”
Despite his busy schedule as a full-time pharmacy technician, Clark went above and beyond to prepare for this week.
After finding out that one of the requirements for the BWC was having a Modern Army Combatives level one certification, Clark didn’t hesitate doing whatever was necessary to become qualified.
“I attended a two-week combatives course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington to get my certification,” said Clark. “It was awesome because the classes were very small so we got a lot of one-on-one training. It really helped boost my confidence in that event.”
Staff Sgt. Idris Ogunjubi, platoon sergeant for the 1984th, is confident Clark can bring home the title for the 1984th’s fifth year in a row.
“Sergeant Clark has a can-do, fearless attitude that is going to take him all the way to victory,” said Ogunjubi.
The top soldier and NCO of the Pacific Army Reserve will be honored at an awards ceremony here, which is scheduled for May 12.
| Date Taken: |
05.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
05.11.2012 00:05 |
| Story ID: |
88267 |
| Location: |
HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: |
91 |
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0 |
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