More than medics

Six Soldiers with William Beaumont Army Medical Center competed in a command-wide Best Warrior Competition, Feb. 15-18.

The competition tested the physical and mental aptitudes of Soldiers in various events to determine WBAMC's top noncommissioned officer and Soldier in 2016.

"I think this is a great opportunity for young medics to get the opportunity to compete at a higher level and showcase their skills as Soldiers," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Fetzer, command sergeant major, Troop Command, WBAMC. "It's more than taking blood pressure and pulse. It's demonstrating we can do what we need to do on the warrior side."

During the week-long competition, Soldiers tested in the Army Physical Fitness Test, written essay, military knowledge exam, oral board, 6-mile rucksack march, a mystery event, and day/night land navigation.

"You have to be self-motivated," said Sgt. Dwyer Primera, an orderly room noncommissioned officer in charge, Troop Command, WBAMC. "You have to dig deep within yourself to see what matters."

Primera, a native of Orlando, Florida, along with Spc. Blake Miller, an operating room specialist at WBAMC, were selected as this year's NCO of the year and Soldier of the year, respectively.

According to Miller, a native of Caseyville, Illinois, spare time is scarce working in the operating room.

"We're working until the day's done, from sunrise to sundown," said Miller. "It means a lot that they selected me (as the best Soldier). I'm in the hospital a lot but my leaders believed in me and helped me develop."

Off-duty training and preparation was a necessity for Primera and Miller to take top honors amongst their peers. According to both Soldiers, their primary mission is patient care, so the Soldier skills in the competition required a lot of diligence.

"I wake up early in the morning to PT" said Primera. "It's a lot of studying after work for the knowledge based portion."

"(Being selected as NCO/ Soldier of the year) shows that they're dedicated to the Army and it's more to them than just a job," said Sgt. 1st Class George Anderson, training noncommissioned officer in charge, Troop Command, WBAMC. "It shows they want to excel, and have the skills, knowledge and leadership to excel.

"It's not just about what your medical profession," said Anderson. "In addition to being the technical professional they are in the hospital, they're also Soldiers and able to demonstrate those skills on the battlefield."

Primera and Miller will go on to compete against other top Soldiers throughout Regional Health Command-Central in March.