FORT GORDON, Ga. -- The Eisenhower Army Medical Center held an organization-wide Best Warrior competition to select the most qualified Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer to represent EAMC at the regional Best Warrior competition on Feb. 1.
Medical laboratory specialists (68K) Spc. Raymond R. David and Sgt. Micheal Baines earned their Soldier and NCO of the year titles after a tough three-day challenge.
David, described the contest as "Brutal, but the competition from the other Soldiers gave me motivation."
"The ruck march was tough because Sgt. [Nicole] Van Niekerk was quick. I had to run to keep ahead of her for most of the course," said Baines.
"We were really impressed with this year's competitors and the amount of dedication and drive our Soldiers and NCOs showed during the evaluation," said competition coordinator, Sgt. 1st Class Morris Porter.
Porter explained that they evaluated physical conditioning, warrior tasks, battle drills, orienteering, weapons proficiency, individual knowledge, and personal appearance to determine the best candidates for the regional Best Warrior competition.
"With going to school full time, my Army duties, my wife, and preparing for the competition, it's great to be recognized for the work," said Baines.
The Eisenhower competition was designed to challenge nominated Soldiers and NCOs by focusing on Soldier tasks such as drill and ceremony, to include an in-ranks inspection, hands-on evaluations, day and night land navigation, and weapons qualification, a ruck march, and a formal board interview.
The Regional Health Command-Atlantic Best Warrior competition will be held from March 28 through April 2, hosted by EAMC at Fort Gordon.
For the upcoming regional competition the two EAMC competitors plan to train. David plans to train for the ruck march and be more confident in his preparation.
Baines plans to train harder. "I don't feel I put everything into the [EAMC] competition, I want to be better, stronger, and more focused on knowledge. I don't want there to be any excuses."
EAMC Best Warrior competitors included Spc. Natasha E. Clark, Department of Pathology, Spc. Daniel Ryan, Emergency Department, Sgt. Nicole J. Van Niekerk, Department of Pathology, and Sgt. Hector D. Guzman-Ospina, Patient Administration Division.
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