ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Illinois -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command named its Soldier and non commissioned officer of the year after a two-day Best Warrior Competition here.
Pfc. Davonta T. Colflesh and Staff Sgt. Kevin A. Hopson will represent AMC at the Army-level Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Va., in October. The two were among eight competitors at the AMC Best Warrior Competition July 28-29.
Colflesh is a transportation management coordinator stationed in Deagu, Korea with the 403rd Army Field Support Brigade. Hopson is a military policeman assigned to the Army Sustainment Command and stationed at Rock Island Arsenal. Both took titles from the Army Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition here in June.
"Our winners displayed the Army values. They displayed commitment, dedication and perseverance," said AMC Command Sergeant Major James K. Sims. "When they didn't know what to do, they were innovative. They never forgot their warrior ethos…they never quit."
The competitors faced a grueling two-day competition that included ruck marching more than 17 miles across the arsenal to complete nine separate tasks. The competitors faced many battle drills and scenarios testing their skills in weapons, hand-to-hand combat and convoy operations among others.
Colflesh, a native of Lufkin, Texas, said he found the competition physically exhausting. "The rewards for winning something like this are definitely worth the few hours of pain," Colflesh said. "This kind of recognition stays with you your entire career."
Hopson, from North Powder, Oregon, said he was proud to represent the Army Sustainment Command at the AMC level. "I wanted to win it for the 3,000 Soldiers, civilians and contractors backing me at ASC," he said. "Now, to have the opportunity to represent AMC at the Army level is a great honor."
Sims honored the winners at a July 29 luncheon on the arsenal. Runner-ups were also named in both the Soldier and non commissioned officer of the year positions. Spec. Marsha D. Feightner from the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element at Joint Base Langley Eustis, Va. and Staff Sgt. Eliud Temblador, from the 729th Contracting Center in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, will compete at the Army level if the primary contender is unavailable.
"We celebrate today, but training starts tomorrow," Sims said.
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