U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior, Junior Officer Competitions combine challenge, teamwork

By Spc. Glenn M. AndersonSeptember 17, 2014

U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior, Junior Officer Competitions combine challenge, teamwork
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Headquarters U.S. Army Europe competitors Spc. Roberto Mendez, Cpl. Zachary Sullivan and 1st Lt. Steven White demonstrate the use of skin decontamination kits during the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) lane at the 2014 U.S. Army... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior, Junior Officer Competitions combine challenge, teamwork
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Ricardo Ruiz of C Company, Allied Forces South Battalion, U.S. Army NATO Brigade, clears his jammed M-16 carbine rifle during a stress shoot lane at the 2014 U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition, Sept. 15 at Grafenwoehr, Germany. The compet... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Participants from units throughout U.S. Army Europe are running, shooting, marching, inspecting, climbing, mapping, maintaining, writing, navigating, planning, carrying and bandaging their way through more than 30 Soldier tasks in hopes of being named one of USAREUR's Best Warriors or the Best Junior Officer for 2014.

The event comprises 30-plus different tasks, including an Army Physical Fitness Test, a "stress shoot" weapons firing; a mass casualty simulation; simulated chemical attack; and a myriad more tests of endurance, stamina, strength, bearing, decision-making and intelligence. Competitors are placed in situations that some had either never thought of, or had rarely experienced in their military careers. They often have no idea what to expect during the competition, and that in itself is part of the challenge.

"This is a little more than I expected," said Sgt. Ricardo M. Ruiz, an executive driver with Company C, Allied Forces South Battalion, whose unique station in USAREUR is actually located in Virginia Beach, Va.

Still, Ruiz is giving it his all, and said he's grateful for the opportunity.

"I am thankful for my leadership and all (those) that put this together," Ruiz said. "It is an honor to be here representing my unit, and being able to come all the way from the States to compete."

Most Soldiers competing here earned their berths by winning top honors in similar events at their home commands, and thought that they were prepared for what lay ahead at the USAREUR level. But others, like Ruiz, admitted that what they have experienced so far goes beyond their expectations.

"This competition is definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be," said competitor Cpl. Zachary Sullivan, a human resources NCO assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, USAREUR. "My unit did really well, though, in preparing me for this competition, and I am very thankful for their support and to my sponsor for keeping up with all the changes."

"It is exhausting having to push through all of these lanes," said Best Junior Officer contender 1st Lt. Steven White, executive officer for USAREUR's Headquarters Operations Company. "It really has been a learning experience being here competing with all the other teams. I have had some great training in the past, with predeployment training and route clearance downrange, so not much of this is new to me. But it certainly is an abrupt refresher."

The long hours of competing here have now turned to long days, but the competitors' spirits seem high and most appear to feel good about their chances of winning.

"I have confidence that I can hold up to the competition," said Spc. Roberto Mendez, a unit supply specialist with USAREUR's Headquarters Support Company. "I really think that I have a great chance to win."

"I think that coming out here and working hard gives me a great chance to win this competition," said Sullivan. "All the competitors are working really hard too, but I feel that I am doing really well, too."

Although the victory ultimately goes to individuals here, unit participants are grouped as teams and there's a lot of mentoring, sharing and comradeship evident in the competition. Although everyone wants to win, it's evident that everyone is also ready to help and encourage their opponents, and recognize and respect their skills and strengths. There's definitely a sense that this is as much a learning experience as a competition.

White summed up that sense of mutual respect in his modest assessment of his odds of winning.

"I think that my chances are pretty good to win this," said White. "I do not get to see the scoreboard like they do in a football game, but I think that I have just as good a chance as anybody out here."

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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned to advance American strategic interests across Eurasia as U.S. European Command's force of choice and has unparalleled capability to prevent conflict, shape the environment and, if necessary, win decisively. The relationships we build during 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships, and enhance global security.

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