CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Aparicio, and Spc. George Weeks, both representing the 94th Training Division, won the 80th Training Command 2016 Best Warrior Competition in the non-commissioned officer and lower enlisted Soldier categories, respectively, March 9-13, 2016.
Aparicio said he pushed himself to the limits both physically and mentally.
"My overall strategy was to stay in the hunt, do great in each event ... and just have my name in the running by the last day," said the Dallas native assigned to Regional Training Site Maintenance-Devens, Fort Devens, Mass.
Weeks credited preparation and good mentorship for his success.
"Train, prepare, study a lot for the board," said Weeks, a Richmond, Va., native. "Come out with confidence. Don't worry about it being a competition, worry about doing your best on every event and every obstacle."
Apraricio, who's been in the Army for 13 years, said the BWC was one of the toughest competitions that he'd been in.
The competition consisted of ten different events some of which included the Army Physical Fitness test, land navigation, weapons qualification, combatives, a written exam, a board appearance and an obstacle course.
Maj. Gen. A.C. Roper, the 80th TC commander, presented his commanders coin and an impact Army Achievement Medal to the division and brigade winners. Apraricio and Weeks also received Army Commendation Medals from the commander.
During the award ceremony, Roper said, the spirit the competitors demonstrated, and the lessons they learned were essential tools in combating issues confronting the modern day fighting force. Roper told the competitors to grow their legacies, and to build upon their BWC experience and to make their units and communities back home better.
"If we value people, maintain discipline, and leave a legacy, we'll be taking care of each other," he said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Darlington, the 80th TC senior noncommissioned officer, said he was impressed with each soldier who took part in the competition.
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