FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif.-- Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Sgt. Jordan Lepley’s road to victory is one of burning ferociously through tunnels of adversity and coming out a newer, better man each time.
The competition, held at Fort Hunter Liggett, started with 45 Soldiers representing four brigades from across the 200th Military Police Command beginning on Mar. 15, 2017. By the second day, 22 soldiers were eliminated.
On the last day only two were awarded the title “Best Warrior." One winner for each of the two categories: noncommissioned officer (NCO) and junior enlisted Soldier.
Sgt. Jordan Lepley, an MP from 352nd Military Police Company, representing the 290th Military Police Brigade was named the noncommissioned officer winner of the 200th Military Police Command Best Warrior Competition.
Born in 1993 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it's hard to tell when he speaks that Lepley is only 23 years old. He carries himself with the poise and maturity of someone twice his age.
That may have to do with lessons life has already taught him. His parents divorced and his family went through some tough times. In 7th grade his school performance took a turn for the worst.
“I had a teacher, he was a marine… an infantry guy,” said Lepley. “He had done seven tours. In the midst of my parents separating I was having a little bit of a rough time, he pulled me aside and he shared with me some of his combat experience. He helped me put things into perspective.”
Even at that young age he understood and took his teacher’s words to heart. He learned that adversity would not inhibit him. He had to grow and overcome.
At the end of his 7th grade, at the school awards assembly, he received most improved student.
As he got older, he gravitated towards athletics. That was his first real taste of structure and discipline.
“Growing up I was a wrestler and I was not the most talented wrestler, but I was always conditioning, always lifting always working out, and that is how I would beat people, " he said.
He was learning that failure should not be an option if you have the ability to accomplish that task.
Lepley said that failure means having the ability to do something or accomplish something but to not put in the effort.
While Lepley was in high school he knew the Military would be a part of his life. He trained hard and after being waitlisted, was accepted to West Point Academy.
“I went to West Point out of high school. It wasn't a successful endeavor,” he said.
While at West Point, Lepley did well with soldiering, but struggled with academics, specifically math.
“I left there and kind of didn't want to have anything to do with the Army,” said Lepley.
That experience took a toll on his outlook of the military but as months passed he realized that that would not be a deterrent for him.
“I only made it about six months before I decided I need the Army in my life,” said Lepley.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and feels that becoming a noncommissioned officer has been the best experience of his life. He regrets nothing from his experience at West Point.
“The Army has taught me how to stay motivated regardless of the situation," said Lepley. “The Army also taught me that with structure, time management and motivation you could accomplish just about anything.”
This was Lepley’s third Best Warrior competition. Each loss prepared him a little more for the next competition and his eventual win this year.
“Each time I was in a competition, I learned a little more what it took to be successful,” said Lepley.
He said that as setbacks occurred he learned that how he chose to respond dictated the type of person he is.
“You dictate where you want to be and how you're going to get there especially in the Army, but also on the civilian side as well,” said Lepley. “If somebody says something about what you should or shouldn't do or what you can or can't do, it's up to you to decide to live by what they say or make the decision to set a goal and do whatever it takes to achieve it.”
Lepley will move on to the U. S Army Reserve Command Best Warrior Competition in May. There, he will compete with the best of the best from across the Army Reserve, which is made up of more than 190,000 service members.