Army Reserve Chaplain Assistant earns best warrior title

By Staff Sgt. Emily Anderson, 80th Training Command (TASS) Public AffairsApril 25, 2014

Army Reserve Chaplain Assistant earns best warrior title
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. (Kathleen) Amy Justice, a competitor assigned to the 7/95th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 94th Training Division, plots points to begin the land navigation course during the Best Warrior Competition at Fort Knox, Ky., Mar. 20, 2014. (U.S. Army ph... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve Chaplain Assistant earns best warrior title
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Kathleen (Amy) Justice, a competitor assigned to the 7/95th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 94th Training Division, aims her weapon during the weapons qualification event during the Best Warrior Competition at Fort Knox, Ky., Mar. 20, 2014. (U.S. A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve Chaplain Assistant earns best warrior title
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Curtis Anderson, a competitor assigned to the 95th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 100th Training Division, climbs over the wall obstacle wraps the rope around his foot to help with reaching the top of rope-climb obstacle during the 80th Training Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve Chaplain Assistant earns best warrior title
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Bill Gerety, Commander, 80th Training Command (TASS), awards Staff Sgt. Amy Justice, 7/95th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 94th Training Division, the Army Commendation Medal for earning the title of the 80th TC Best Warrior in the noncommissioned ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve Chaplain Assistant earns best warrior title
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Bill Gerety, Commander, 80th Training Command (TASS), awards Spc. Curtis Anderson, 3/95th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 100th Training Division, the Army Commendation Medal for earning the title of the 80th TC Best Warrior in the enlisted category... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

People who knew Staff Sgt. Kathleen (Amy) Justice in her earlier life probably would have never guessed that in 2014 she would be in the Army as a chaplain assistant while attending a theological seminary.

On March 22, she earned the 2014 80th Training Command Best Warrior title surprising herself and many of her family and friends.

"I think a lot of people have a misconception about chaplain assistants," said Justice, who is assigned to the 7/95th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 94th Training Division. "Best warrior is right up our alley because we're part infantry and part counselor…and a lot of people don't know that."

Justice and 14 other Reserve Soldiers from across the nation competed in the 80th Training Command (Total Army School System) annual Best Warrior Competition, Fort Knox, Ky., March 17-21.

The 100th Training Division (OS) hosted the competition, which included an urban assault course, physical fitness, weapons handling, rifle and pistol marksmanship, drill and ceremony, land navigation, and first aid.

The Soldiers also took a written exam and reported before a panel of sergeants major in full dress uniform to answer questions ranging from military knowledge to current events.

According to Command Sgt. Maj. Arlindo Almeida, senior enlisted advisor, 94th Training Division said she is well deserving of the best warrior title because a best warrior must have "professionalism, toughness, will, commitment and motivation," he said.

"Her will and motivation is a true inspiration to others," Almeida added. "I also hope that she shares her experience with her peers by encouraging others to make the same commitment as she did."

Spc. Curtis Anderson, 3/95th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 100th Training Division, earned the best warrior title in the enlisted category.

"I'm definitely proud, and glad that I will represent my unit and the 80th," Anderson said. "I feel pure excitement because I didn't expect to win."

Like Justice, Anderson does not hold a combat military occupational specialty, but he said the competition is not about the MOS.

"Many people think of best warriors as Soldiers in a combat MOS, but I hope I set the way for other people in supply, human resources, or for people not in combat MOS," Anderson said.

"We're still Soldiers and should be held to same standards as they are."

Justice and Anderson will now advance to the United States Army Reserve Command Best Warrior Competition.

Related Links:

Official Twitter page, 80th Training Command (TASS)

Official Website, 80th Training Command (TASS)

Official Facebook page, 80th Training Command (TASS)

Flickr Page, 80th Training Command

Official YouTube Channel, 80th Training Command (TASS)