FORT BRAGG, N.C. (July 10, 2012) -- Nine Non-Commissioned Officers and nine Soldiers representing commands from across the Army are competing in the 2012 U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) NCO and Soldier Best Warrior Competition, here, July 7-13.
Command Sgt. Maj. Darrin J. Bohn, U.S. FORSCOM sergeant major, will oversee the competition which names the FORSCOM Soldier and Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.
"Fort Bragg is hosting the competition (on behalf of FORSCOM), and it will be a 'class A' event testing the NCOs and Soldiers both mentally and physically," said Bohn.
Competitors have mastered a series of benchmark competitions throughout the year to qualify for the competition, and are in ranks of private through specialist in the 'Soldier' category, while non-commissioned officers in the ranks of corporal through sergeant first class are in the running NCO of the Year.
The 16 men and two women represent FORSCOM and selected Direct Reporting Units -- or DRU's (commands that report directly to the Army chief of staff).
The represented commands are: First Army, I Corps, III Corps, XVIII Airborne Corps, U.S. Army North, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, U.S. Army South and U.S. Army Central.
Soldiers deployed in support of combat operations in Afghanistan are represented, in spirit, said Bohn.
"These 18 soldiers represent all those still deployed who could not compete in this week's competition," said Bohn.
Soldiers from DRUs are provided the opportunity to compete for the next and final level of competition -- Department of the Army, through Army Command-level (FORSCOM, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, or U.S. Army Materiel Command) events like this one.
During the competition, the Soldiers will be evaluated in: M4 Rifle Zero and Qualification, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, day/night orienteering, a written exam and essay, and a "mystery" event.
"NCOs and Soldiers from across FORSCOM are here to compete to see who will represent us at the Army level NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition," said Bohn. "They are the best of the best, and represent the thousands of Soldiers from their commands -- from company to Corps and Army level."
The NCOs and Soldiers participating in this week's events are proud to represent their units and major commands.
"I have studied hard," said Spc. Chad W. Puterbaugh, representing the 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command at Fort Sill, Okla. "I just want to do well, represent my unit and make my unit proud."
Competition winners will be announced during a Thursday evening awards ceremony and banquet at the Fort Bragg Club.
Social Sharing