FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- After months of preparation and a week spent competing in the Army's intensive "Best Warrior Competition" at Fort Lee, Va., earlier this month, Spc. Thomas Hauser of the 563rd Military Police Company was named the Army's Soldier of the Year in an Oct. 11 ceremony presided over by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III and Army Vice Chief of Staff Peter Chiarelli.
Hauser's achievement was made possible by both intense personal discipline and a dedication to his unit's success during collective training events as the 563rd MP Company prepares to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom next year.
Capt. Henry Cartagena, 563rd MP Company commander, highlighted Hauser's contributions during a year of training and exercises in support of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives Consequence Management Response Force.
"Over the last year, Spc. Hauser has done a lot of training in first aid and basic Soldier skills, and he has mastered all of his tasks," Cartagena said.
Hauser's squad leader, Staff Sgt. Julia Ruiz, praised his dedication to duty and work ethic by saying "he is a great Soldier, highly motivated and self-driven. He is a standard for all Soldiers to emulate."
A native of Cincinnati, Hauser described his decision to join the Army by saying "I wanted to serve my country and better myself and my Family."
Having made the decision to serve his country, he immediately committed himself to achieving excellence as a Soldier. Hauser outlined the disciplined training regimen he established for himself after arriving at 563rd MP Company.
"I would go to the gym at 5:30 in the morning before PT … and then drill myself with questions from the Army study guide," he said.
As he looked back on the months of preparation that led to his success in the Army's Best Warrior Competition and forward to his unit's projected deployment to Afghanistan, Hauser offered straightforward advice to Soldiers across the Army.
"Stay motivated, stay focused, have fun, give it 110 percent, and you will be successful," he said.
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