RHC-P's 2019 Best Warrior Announced

Eight Soldiers and eight noncommissioned officers from throughout the region participated in the competition April 15-19, which featured physical fitness tests, oral boards, exams, land navigation, marksmanship, obstacle course, ruck march and other physical exercise events.

After all of the event scores were tallied, the winners and runners-up were announced.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Velazquez, representing Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, won in the NCO category, and Spc. Jonathan Mossett, representing Bassett Army Community Hospital at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, won in the Soldier category. They both will go on to represent RHC-P and their commands at the U.S. Army Medical Command Best Warrior Competition.

"It has been a learning opportunity. I have grown as a person, and I hope that this sets a positive example for my peers and subordinates, and most importantly for my kids," said Velazquez. "I couldn't have done this without my wife. She's the real warrior."

Finishing in second place for the NCO category was Staff Sgt. Gaurav Bhattarai representing Dental Health Command-Pacific in Honolulu, and for the Soldier category, Spc. Matthew Reynolds representing Public Health Command-Pacific in Honolulu. In third place and both representing TAMC, was Sgt. Ryan Jackson in the NCO category and Spc. Valentina Ocampo in the Soldier category.

The Best Warrior Competition is the culminating test for Soldiers and NCOs to demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos and represent the Force of the Future.

"A warrior is someone who will fight and win despite the competition, and competition at its most basic level brings out the best in all our warriors," said RHC-P Command Sgt. Maj. Clark Charpentier. "I could not be more proud to serve with all the warriors who competed. They're amazing Soldiers."

Also competing in the Soldier category this year: Spc. Robert Klutch from 18th Medical Command at Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Spc. Hyoso Im from DHC-Pacific; Spc. Johnathon Esquivel from Madigan; Spc. Cody Kedroski from U.S. Army Health Clinic-Schofield Barracks at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Pfc. Javier Moreno from Medical Department Activity-Korea at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Korea.

Additionally competing in the NCO category this year: Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Salinas from 18th MEDCOM; Staff Sgt. Robert Hays from BACH; Sgt. Christopher King from MEDDAC-Korea; Staff Sgt. Nicolaus Puga from PHC-Pacific; and Staff Sgt. Robert Balcombe from USAHC-Schofield Barracks.

Personnel from the Hawaii-based commands provided medical and logistical support to execute the events throughout the week.