MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition

By Dr. Valecia L. Dunbar, DM, MPA, Army Medicine Public AffairsMay 18, 2015

MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
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MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
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MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Ryan Figueroa of Katterbach Health Clinic, Germany, hangs in the obstacle course on day two of the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) 2015 Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Bullis, Texas. Figueroa was one of eighteen MEDCOM participants competing... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Private 1st Class June Han of 618th Dental Company, Korea, shows relief
after completing the 12-mile ruck march on day three of the Army Medical
Command (MEDCOM) 2015 Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Bullis, Texas. Han was one of eighteen MEDCO... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Sonya Edler, of Army Medical Command's Medical Research
and Materiel Command (MRMC) tows the line during the obstacle course
competition on day two of the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) 2015 Best
Warrior Competition held at Camp Bullis, Texas. Ed... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Rachel Quiroz, of Army Medical Command's Western Regional Medical Command navigates the obstacle course on day two of the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) 2015 Best Warrior Competition held at Camp
Bullis, Texas. Quiroz was one of eighteen ME... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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MEDCOM announces winners of 2015 Best Warrior Competition
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Ashley Irmak of Army Medical Command's Northern Regional
Medical Command (NRMC) rehydrates after completing the 12-mile ruck march on day three of the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) 2015 Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Bullis, Texas. Irmak,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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The U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) announced the winners of the 2015 Best Warrior Competition during an award ceremony held at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 8. MEDCOM's chief enlisted officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Ecker extended congratulations to Sgt. Felipe Montoya, Dental Command (Noncommissioned Officer of the Year) and Spc. Jordan Mejia, Western Regional Medical Command (Soldier of the Year).

"These two Warriors demonstrated first-hand they are the best of the best. They can be proud of their accomplishments and set the standard for others to follow," said Ecker.

The two outstanding Soldiers successfully navigated several days of physically and mentally demanding obstacles during a week of competition and came out on top.

Congratulations are also in order for the Runners-up, Staff Sgt. Shaun Morand, Medical Research and Materiel Command, and Spc. Ashley Irmak, Northern Regional Medical Command. Morand and Irmak will compete in the event the 1st Place finishers cannot.

A total of 18 Soldiers from across Army Medicine participated in the week-long competition held at Camp Bullis, Texas, earlier last week. The other 14 remaining Soldiers who competed represented their commands with pride and professionalism.

"While there can only be one first place trophy, all of these Soldiers are winners in my book," said Ecker.

The competitors vying for the title of Best Warrior engaged in a series of challenging events meant to test the physical and mental stamina and warrior task knowledge of each competitor to select the 'best of the best' who will represent MEDCOM at the Army-wide Best Warrior Competition later this year. The 2015 MEDCOM Best Warrior competition included a board appearance, written essay, written exam, APFT, M16 zero and qualification, day and night land navigation, obstacle course, a 12-mile foot march, Warrior Task and Battle Drill hands-on testing.

Montoya and Mejia will now represent Army Medicine in the 2015 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) and Soldier of the Year (SOY) "Best Warrior" competition tentatively scheduled for October 2015 at Fort Lee, Va., and Washington, DC.

Related Links:

Official Website of U.S. Army Medical Command

The U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition