Not even the threat of a hurricane affecting the east coast could stop the 13 Noncommissioned Officers and 13 Soldiers from 13 different major Army commands, from competing in an event that emphasizes excellence, professionalism and adaptability.
As the Soldiers stepped off the bus at the Asymmetrical Warfare Training Center, with mixed looks of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity, Payton asked them all a question.
"Is there anybody out there who doesn't want to be here right now?" Payton asked.
The group remained silent, with only the wind blowing outside creating a sound.
"Exactly!" Payton said. "You represent what is great about this Army of ours."
The competitors, accompanied by their unit sponsors, looked across at each other before focusing back on Payton who gave them his expectations.
"We know that you are the best in the business and we expect to see some dynamic things this week," Payton said.
The winners of the competition will become ambassadors of the Army according to Payton, with the distinguished title of the best NCO and the best Soldier across the Army.
"It's going to challenge you, and that's why you are here," Payton said.
The competitors gave no illusion to the challenges ahead of them.
"I'm just trying to take it all in right now, and get my mind right," said Spc. Adam Walton, a Army musician representing the Army Material Command.
"I know it's going to be rough. The weather is rough, the terrain looks pretty rough, so I'm just getting ready for it all," Walton said.
For many in the group, the anticipation to get the events, many of which are a mystery to the competitors, underway.
"I'm feeling a little anxious," said Sgt. James French, a military satellite communications systems operator representing the Space and Missile Defense Command.
"I like to compete. I'm a big competitor, so I just want to get it going," French said.
These competitors came here to represent their respective units and commands, winning best warrior competitions at other levels of their command before arriving, and everyone competing was well aware of that and acknowledged it in their own way.
"This is a good group and looks like there will be strong competition," Walton said.
While winning is the goal, the benefits exceed the immediate victory aspirations. Being able to get to this level also represents an opportunity for growth for the Soldiers participating and their units back home.
"For me, being a noncommissioned officer, I'll be able to take this experience back to my Soldiers," French said. "Not many Soldiers get to experience this, so I want to take it back to them and hopefully improve them down the line."
For now, while the NCOs and Soldiers prepared for phase one of the grueling and challenging competition at Fort A.P. Hill, before traveling to the Nation's Capital region to complete phase two, Payton reminded them one more time why they're here.
"We operate as a team, but we have responsibilities as an individual. You're responsibility as a competitor is to compete, compete, compete!" Payton said.
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