2008 WINNER

Spc. David R. Obray - Soldier of the Year

Spc. David R. Obray

USARC
U.S. Army Reserve Command

Military Occupation:

62B, Construction Equipment Repair Specialist

Unit Assigned:

492d Engineer Company, 414th Engineer Command

Hometown:

Fairmont, Minn.

Number of Deployments

N/A

Location & Dates of Deployments:

N/A

Number of Years in Service:

Three years

WWW.GOARMY.COM - ARMY STRONG

Obray Image Gallery
The U.S. Army Reserve Command's Spc. David Obray uses aircraft landing signals after performing a medical evacuation Oct. 2. He was one of 24 Soldiers competing in the 2008 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year 'Best Warrior' Competition held Sept. 28-Oct.3 at Fort Lee, Va. (Photo by T. Anthony Bell)
More Images
The U.S. Army Reserve Command's Spc. David Obray uses aircraft landing signals after performing a medical evacuation Oct. 2. He was one of 24 Soldiers competing in the 2008 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year 'Best Warrior' Competition held Sept. 28-Oct.3 at Fort Lee, Va. (Photo by T. Anthony Bell) The U.S. Army Reserve Command's Spc. David Obray uses aircraft landing signals after performing a medical evacuation Oct. 2. He was one of 24 Soldiers competing in the 2008 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year 'Best Warrior' Competition held Sept. 28-Oct.3 at Fort Lee, Va. (Photo by T. Anthony Bell) The U.S. Army Reserve Command's Spc. David Obray uses aircraft landing signals after performing a medical evacuation Oct. 2. He was one of 24 Soldiers competing in the 2008 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year 'Best Warrior' Competition held Sept. 28-Oct.3 at Fort Lee, Va. (Photo by T. Anthony Bell) The U.S. Army Reserve Command's Spc. David Obray uses aircraft landing signals after performing a medical evacuation Oct. 2. He was one of 24 Soldiers competing in the 2008 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year 'Best Warrior' Competition held Sept. 28-Oct.3 at Fort Lee, Va. (Photo by T. Anthony Bell)
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"Soldier of the Year" Spc. David Obray, is a Construction Equipment Repair Specialist, with the U.S. Army Reserve, 492nd Engineer Company, 414th Engineer Command, Mankato, Minn.

With three years experience in the United States Army, Obray is the first Reserve Soldier to win the prestigious title.

A native of Fairmont, Minn., Obray attends Winona State University where he is President of the Student Association and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Law & Society and Business Law. His future plans include obtaining a Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration degree, retiring from the Army Reserve as a Command Sergeant Major and pursuing his dream of becoming a United States Senator.

For Obray, service to country is a family business. His sister and brother currently serve in the Army, and his grandfather and great grandfather served in WWII & WWI respectively.

Obray’s Army goals include becoming a fire team and squad leader and a Battalion Command Sergeant Major. Weighing 300 pounds at age 16, Obray credits military discipline with giving him the courage and ability to become physically and mentally fit. He is proud to represent the U.S. Army Reserve as “Soldier of the Year.”

"The Best Warrior is the personified Strength of the Nation," said Obray. "The title represents the entire United States Army and shows the proficiency of all Soldiers and NCOs (Noncommissioned Officers). "It is a great honor to be selected."