21st TSC name their Best Warriors

BAUMHOLDER, Germany- After five days of a grueling competition, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command announced the unit's top warriors during a culminating ceremony at the Wagon Wheel Theater on Smith Barracks, July 14.

1st. Lt. Brian Teachout, signal officer, 16th Sustainment Brigade, claimed the title among officers.

Sgt. Jacob Rau, mortuary affairs non-commissioned officer, 21st Special Troops Battalion, claimed the NCO title competing against three other sergeants.

Spc. Valentine Wuepper, combat medic specialist, 18th Military Police Brigade, triumphed in the Soldier category, outlasting five other rivals.

" I AM!!" shouted Master Sgt. Jose Feliciano, 21st TSC lead event organizer. "BEST WARRIOR!!!" shouted the warriors in unison.

The competition began with 13 competitors and ended with nine from headquarters and subordinate units to battle for the official title of 21st TSC Best Warrior. Candidates were based out of Grafenwoehr, Sembach and Kaiserslautern. The U.S. Army NATO Brigade also had troops participating in the competition.

"I am extremely proud of these Soldiers," said Feliciano. "After everything we put them through, they still put forth the effort and didn't quit," he said.

Winners of 21st TSC's competition will go on to compete against the best warriors from across U.S. Army Europe during the European Best Warrior Competition in Grafenwoehr, Germany, August 20-25 . Superior Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe and Army Africa headquarters, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 5th Signal Command, 7th Army Training Command, Europe Regional Medical Command, Installation Management Command-Europe and NATO Brigade will battle it out during the week-long competition in hopes of moving up to the Department of the Army Competition later this year.

"Being a mortuary affairs NCO, no one really knows us," said Sgt. Jacob Rau, 21st STB. "When they think about us, it's because one of their comrades has fallen, so I want to show a different side of us and what we are capable of doing," he said.

Warriors had to endure long days with limited amount of sleep while remaining mentally, physically and emotionally prepared to complete 17 events over five days including an additional knowledge board the morning of July 14.

The first two days included events such as an inventory inspection, Army Physical Fitness Test, urban combative lanes, knowledge boards, medical evaluation, marksmanship qualification on M4 rifle and a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) lane.

The warriors also received a briefing from Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado, 21st TSC command sergeant major. "Some of these Soldiers don't even realize how much they have in them," said Delgado. "It's preparing for the unknown and that is what test their resiliency and helps the Soldiers realize they can perform at a higher level than they expect," he said.

The next two days began early as warriors plotted points during land navigation, conducted range qualifications on the M240B, M249 and M9 weapon systems, mastered weapons assembly, navigated an unmanned Army vehicle lane, and pushed through a 12- mile ruck- march.

In addition to physical challenges, competitors were also mentally challenged with writing essays on Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) and Equal Opportunity. Warriors were also tasked with a media interaction lane where they had to answer current event questions without giving out sensitive information while remaining truthful.

"Everybody is able to achieve their goals no matter what unit you're in or what your job title is," said Spc. Valentine Wuepper, combat medic specialist, 18th MP. "This was a great experience and it was very beneficial for me to expand my personal experiences," he said.

The events were continuous and included numerous "smoked" physical training sessions and took multiple skill-level tests before walking to their next event. "Knowing that they are competing against each other, and still building bonds with their peers on each and every event was a honor to see," said Feliciano.

"This is where we highlight our best talent in the organization that will represent 21st TSC at the USAREUR level and hopefully win that title to move on to the Department of the Army competition," said Delgado.

"During this competition, I learned to renew my skills, because we don't use them every day, said 1st Lt. Brian Teachout, signal officer, 16th SB. "I'm pretty competitive and it feels good to win," he said.

"I am honored and humbled that we have so many great Soldiers and leaders in 21st TSC to compete in this type of competition," said Delgado. "Words can't describe how I feel as a leader right now being the command sergeant major."

Related Links:

21st TSC Best Warrior Competition 2017