FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 9, 2016) --Four local commands conducted a consolidated 2016 Non-commissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year competition at Camp Bullis, Texas, May 2-5.
The U.S. Army Installation Management Command, U.S. Army North, U.S. Army South and U.S. Army Medical Command joined forces to maximize military and civilian resources located at Joint Base San Antonio and reduce costs. Soldiers from each command competed together through every event, but were graded by their own commands. IMCOM had a total of four Soldiers and four NCOs compete; one Soldier and NCO from each region.
Sgt. Derrick Adams from U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pflaz was named the IMCOM Soldier of the Year, and Staff Sgt. Brendan Hagens from U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden was named the IMCOM Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.
This is the second year in a row that Europe Region has taken top honors at the IMCOM Best Warrior Competition.
The Best Warrior competition's purpose is to promote morale and unit cohesion, and is part of the process to select the best-qualified NCO and Soldier to represent IMCOM at the Army-level Best Warrior competition.
Each participant competed in three days of field events, followed by a board. The events included the Army Physical Fitness Test, 12-mile ruck march, an obstacle course, day and night land navigation, and a situational training exercise. The board was a panel of IMCOM sergeants major, who scrutinized each NCO's and Soldier's record, military bearing, appearance and knowledge of Army history, regulations and current events. The events were continuous and the competitors had little time for sleep.
"The competition is more about competing against yourself than each other," said IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Hartless. "It's learning what your weaknesses are and capitalizing on your strengths. It's becoming a better Soldier. Having a never quit attitude in all that you do, training, life issues and in combat. I'm proud of each of the competitors and looking forward to the next phase."
The weather was chilly and soggy from previous rain storms in San Antonio, however, the rugged professionals were well-trained and persevered in every environment according to Hartless.
"Nobody quit, no matter how hard it was … and they made it through it" said Hartless. "The Best Warrior Competition recognize Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the warrior ethos and represent the Army of the future."
The IMCOM winners were announced at an awards ceremony May 6 at the Fort Sam Houston Theater. Hagens was not surprised when the announcement was made.
"I anticipated [winning] it because I worked hard and was confident in my ability," said Hagens. "I looked at it with the mentality that this was training for the next event. I had already had it in the bag and had fun while doing it."
Spc. Trevius Mosquera from Fort Hood and Cpl. Clint Horton from Fort Stewart were named runners-up for the Soldier of the Year and NCO of the Year titles, respectively. Mosquera is the Central Region Soldier of the Year and Horton is the Atlantic Region NCO of the Year.
The other IMCOM Soldiers competing were: Pvt. 1st Class Mercedes Nearing from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the Pacific Region Soldier of the Year; Spc. Tyler Nelson from U.S. Army Garrison West Point, New York, the Atlantic Region Soldier of the Year; Sgt. Jason Garrison from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the Pacific Region NCO of the Year; and Staff Sgt. David White from Fort Bliss, Texas, the Central Region NCO of the Year.
Nearing was the youngest Soldier to compete, with only eight months in the Army. Nearing said her NCO did a great job preparing her.
"It was a great good opportunity to show everyone what I have and show myself what I am capable of," she said.
At the award ceremony, IMCOM Commanding General Lt. Gen. Kenneth Dahl gave advice to the Soldiers and gave them a message to take home.
"We need to expect a lot from you," said Dahl. "We expect you to be rugged, we expect you to be Spartan, and expect you to thrive in austere environments."
You should not expect to handled too softly by your leaders," he continued, "you have to be rugged. This is not a game."
Adams and Hagens will move on to the U.S. Army Cyber Best Warrior competition later this year. The winner of ARCYBER will compete at the Army-level Best Warrior Competition.
Social Sharing