SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Soldiers from the Army's Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) gathered, here, to compete in a three-day Best Warrior Competition, March 3-5.
The competition showcased the best Soldiers from the SMDC/ARSTRAT Pacific Region, which encompasses Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and Korea.
Company D, 53rd Signal Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, SMDC/ARSTRAT, based at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific (NCTAMS PAC) in Wahiawa, hosted the event.
The Soldiers were evaluated based on an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), a weigh-in, a written examination, a written essay, a 12-mile foot march, an M4 and M9 EST qualification and an appearance before a mock administrative board.
"Any time you can challenge the Soldiers and give them a chance to stand out, take personal pride in their performance, it's a good thing," said Sgt. Maj. David Poehlein, sergeant major of operations for SMDC/ARSTRAT.
Three Soldiers from Co. D, 53rd Signal Bn. were among those competing for a chance to represent their unit in the SMDC/ARSTRAT-wide Best Warrior Competition in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in June: Staff Sgt. Kyler Colgrove, Sgt. Jason Emig and Spc. Aaron Vasquez.
"It forces us to focus on skills we need, but don't necessarily use every day," Colgrove said of the competition.
All three agreed that the 12-mile march was the most challenging event, both mentally and physically.
Emig described it as "12 miles of heartache," but in the end, his performance paid off as he emerged as one of the victors.
Also victorious was Spc. Adrian Audirac-Uribe of Co. E, 53rd Signal Bn., based in Fort Buckner, Okinawa.
"Sgt. Emig and Spc. Audirac-Uribe's performance during the three-day, eight-event, physically and mentally demanding competition is indicative of the caliber of Soldiers we have in our command," Poehlein said. "Their dedication and professionalism led to their rising above other competitors."
Poehlein added that all of the events have real-world applications for the Soldiers.
"Take the written test. They have to write counseling for their Soldiers, so the written test and essay helps them in that case. Weapons qualifications are something they are going to have to do anyway. And the march improves endurance," he said. "It covers the full spectrum of operations. (The competition) mirrors what the Army does."
• Winners of the SMDC Pacific Region Best Warrior Competition
- Noncommissioned Officer
Sgt. Jason Emig, Co. D, 53rd Signal Bn., based in Wahiawa
- Soldier
Spc. Adrian Audirac-Uribe, Co. E, 53rd Signal Bn., based in Okinawa, Japan
Related Links:
Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command
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