Taking it back

By Cpl. Jeff ShackelfordJanuary 27, 2014

2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MCCOY, Wis. - Cpl. Lance Clifford, intelligence analyst, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 416th Theater Engineer Command, McCord, Wash., is competing in the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition June 23-28.

Clifford, a graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Mont., with a Bachelor of Arts, joined the Army Reserve to serve his country and learn valuable skills.

"The Army has allowed me to develop confidence and leadership skills I wouldn't have found in the civilian world," said Clifford.

Clifford decided to compete in the Best Warrior Competition back in January because he was feeling complacent in his dad-to-day activities.

"I needed to do something challenging," said Clifford. "So when I heard about the Best Warrior Competition, I knew it was for me."

Although Clifford is focused on overcoming the daily riggers of competing to become the best warrior, his troops back home are always on his mind at the end of the night.

"This is a learning experience and that is something I really want to take home from this. I want to be able to train my soldiers and give them the opportunity to be here," said Clifford. "That is worth more than winning to me."

Although winning would be nice, Clifford isn't just competing for that reason. He wants to learn from his experiences while competing in the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition and pass that knowledge to his troops so that they all may one day have a chance to compete.