FORT LEE, Va. (April 16, 2014) -- Four Soldiers from various CASCOM subordinate elements were honored as victors Wednesday during the Ultimate Warrior Competition Awards Ceremony held at the Dickerson Auditorium on the Army Logistics University campus.
Staff Sgt. Cliff Klaye, Charlie Company, Training Support Battalion, Soldier Support Institute; and Spc. Marquis Wright, Echo Company, 832nd Ordnance Bn., 59th Ord. Brigade, were honored as the noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the year, respectively.
Sgt. 1st Class Kenny Smith, Delta Co., 16th Ord. Bn., 59th Ord. Bde., beat out his fellow competitors in the advanced individual training platoon sergeant of the year category; and Sgt. 1st Class Walter Allenfaldes; Romeo Co., 262nd Quartermaster Bn., 23rd QM Bde., was celebrated as the instructor of the year.
"These Soldiers did an outstanding job," said Command Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Parham Sr., who oversees the event. CASCOM's top enlisted Soldier presented the awards to contestants alongside Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, commanding general, CASCOM and Fort Lee. "One thing about these competitions is that the participants get to use what they've gained throughout their careers. The more you know, the more you can show."
Ultimate Warrior, held here April 7-10, is an annual Soldier skills competition based on the Department of the Army's Soldier and NCO of the Year Best Warrior Competition that has taken place at Fort Lee for the past decade. It is designed to measure proficiency in a number of tactical events to include land navigation, weapons qualification, first aid and radio communications.
It also tests Soldiers' knowledge and abilities with a written examination, essay, Army Physical Fitness Test, board appearance and a mystery event that is unbeknownst to participants.
CASCOM added a twist to Best Warrior four years ago when it consolidated the longstanding event with the other competitions such as platoon sergeant and instructor of the year. Sgt. Maj. Donna R. King, CASCOM G3 SGM and event coordinator, said this year's Ultimate Warrior strengthened the event's competitive tradition.
"The Soldiers demonstrated competency and stayed motivated for the duration of Ultimate Warrior," she said. "It was very challenging, not only physcially, but mentally as well, and I think the participants learned a lot and had a great experience competing in each of the events."
The 12-mile road march, which was new this year, land navigation and the AFPT are traditionally among the most challenging Ultimate Warrior events. King said,.However, many of the contestants this year were stymied by a mystery event that only required them to place award and medal ribbons in the correct order as they would appear on the Army dress uniform. A number of Soldiers fell short of the standard, she said.
"I think a lot of the Soldiers were surprised because they were expecting something physical," she said.
Nevertheless, the Soldiers performed very well overall, said King. All will now compete in the Training and Doctrine Command-level of each individual category later this summer. She has this advice for the competitors:
"Continue studying and leaning forward in the foxhole," King said, "and remember that all that you did in the Ultimate Warrior will have to be multiplied in order to compete and win at the TRADOC level."
The TRADOC Best Warrior competition is scheduled July 27-Aug. 1 at Fort Eustis. Only the winners of the SOY and NCOY competitions will move on to the DA Best Warrior Competition scheduled for October at Fort Lee.
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