Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Maj. Brian Hayes, executive officer, 305th Military Intelligence Battalion, has run over 7,000 miles in the past three years. His running, among other achievements, has led him to his most recent accomplishment of being named the Association of the United States Army male Army Athlete of the Year, 2014.
Leslie Woods, chief of sports, fitness and aquatics with the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate, nominated Hayes.
"We have the opportunity every year to nominate a Soldier. I have had four outstanding Soldier athletes that I have submitted in the past and over the years I have learned that the key to the selection is not so much the athletic prowess as it is the overall Soldier. From community activities to career advancement and then, of course, athletic prowess," Woods said.
"I knew that Brian had a very full personality to fill that packet so we took a chance. As it turns out, 72 installations worldwide are eligible to submit packets for their Soldiers. I can't tell you nor do I know how many applicants were submitted. But I can tell you that out of the selection committee that consists of two Soldiers, two sports directors and one executive from G9, Brian was overwhelmingly the top choice and I knew that was going to happen," Woods added.
The nomination packet needed to include Hayes' athletic accomplishments over the last three years, military service during 2014 and his community service activities. His packet included the following: placing first in the Fort Huachuca Commander's Cup Cross Country Race; being promoted to battalion executive officer from battalion operations officer; and volunteering and helping coordinate two local running events.
The winning announcement came on March 11.
"I know there are so many male athletes in the Army and to be selected amongst all those is an honor. I may not have had the most athletic accomplishments for calendar year 2014 but when you combine it with community service … and high performance in my military duties, it's kind of a total package."
When Hayes was asked why he runs, he responded, "I want to quote something from the Army. This is how the Army feels about physical fitness. The Army thinks that unit readiness begins with physically fit Soldiers and leaders. Operations drain physically, mentally and emotionally. Physically fit people feel more competent and confident, handle stress better, work longer and harder and recover faster."
"I take that message to heart and I think that being a Soldier, being a field grade officer in the Army, I need to be physically fit for all those reasons. … I want to be the most fit, resilient Soldier that I can be. Running is just a big part of that for me. The other thing is I enjoy the competition."
One female and male Soldier and coach are selected each year and this year they will be recognized in Huntsville, Alabama, March 30 to April 2.
Social Sharing