HEIDELBERG, Germany -- Installation Management Command Europe announced the winners of the 2012 Best Warrior Competition in a ceremony here April 17.
Staff Sgt. Robert C. Donovan from U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Wuerttemberg Directorate of Emergency Services and Spc. Shaquana S. Taylor from USAG Stuttgart Religious Support Office are the Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.
The Best Warrior Competition, held in Grafenwoehr April 2-5, consisted of a number of warrior tasks and drills including an Army Physical Fitness Test, marksmanship, an essay and written examination, a 12-mile foot march with a 35-pound rucksack, warrior tasks and drills, day and night land navigation, and an appearance before a board of brigade command sergeants major.
"This has been a long and grueling competition, one that has tested both these Soldiers physical and mental strength and endurance," said Command Sgt. Maj. Barry Maieritsch, IMCOM Europe. "I commend all of you for your efforts during this competition."
During the ceremony both winners were awarded Army Achievement Medals by Kathleen Marin, IMCOM Europe region director.
"The Best Warrior Competition brings together the best of the best… those for whom good enough is never enough," said Marin. "You Soldiers and noncommissioned officers have strived not just to excel, but to inspire, understanding that leading by example is not only the right thing to do, but essential to a strong Army family. I am inspired by meeting you all here today, and I want to personally thank you for that."
Donovan and Taylor will represent IMCOM Europe at the National Capital Region Competition in San Antonio, Texas, April 22-26.
Representing the other garrisons at the Europe-level competition were:
* Staff Sgt. Ryan J. Barnard, USAG Grafenwoehr
* Staff Sgt. Stephen B. Cribben, USAG Wiesbaden
* Staff Sgt. Victor M. Ortiz Jr., USAG Stuttgart
* Staff Sgt. Francisco Sandoval, USAG Ansbach
* Staff Sgt. Howard Woodberry III, USAG Vicenza
* Sgt. Anthony C. Oddo, USAG Benelux
* Spc. Jonathan S. Ellis, USAG Benelux
* Spc. LaJaune A. Scott, USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg