Seven U.S. Army Reserve commands joined forces at Fort Knox April 9-13 to test their Soldiers in a combined Best Warrior competition.
The five-day, 10-event competition assessed more than 40 citizen-Soldiers from across the United States to select each command's Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Each champion will compete in the U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, this June.
Traditionally, 84th Training Command, Army Reserve Aviation Command and Army Reserve Careers Division, all at Fort Knox, hold their Best Warrior Competitions together. However, this year they coordinated with four other commands -- 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), 88th Readiness Division, 81st Readiness Division and Military Intelligence Readiness Command to pool resources, be more efficient, in the hopes of increasing competition.
"We made an even better improvement on training opportunities than we had in the past," said Command Sgt. Maj. James Matthews, command sergeant major for Army Reserve Aviation Command.
With the skills sets and manpower of the various commands focused on one competition, senior leaders said the idea turned out to be a force multiplier.
"As a joint effort, everybody has to contribute a [little] as opposed to a few contributing a lot. The combined effort not only allowed for a smoother and a more cost-effective competition … it enhanced the Soldiers' drive to succeed since there was stiffer competition," said Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Arnold, 84th command sergeant major. "The Soldiers tend to excel more when they are in larger groups."
Competing against Soldiers from other commands also added an element of surprise, he added. Since the different Soldiers had never met, they had to push themselves a little harder against unknown competitors.
"I think [the combined competition] made it really interesting, and I really enjoyed meeting the other competitors," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Roy, a drill sergeant with 3rd Brigade, 98th Training Division (IET).
Roy, who competed in the 108th Training Command Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition being held simultaneously with Best Warrior, said competitions like this are a great path to self-improvement.
"I think it's important for NCOs to continuously challenge themselves, and that was the point of this competition," he said.
Along with the competitors not knowing each other, the events and scheduling were kept in suspense throughout the week, creating heightened stress and discomfort, said Roy; exactly why he decided to compete. He ultimately won the Drill Sergeant of the Year title.
"I wanted to put myself in a situation that was going to be uncomfortable so I would have to push myself," he said.
During each day of the competitions, Soldiers moved from event to event, testing their mental and physical stamina. Many competitors agreed some days were harder than others, and events like land navigation and the military board, which was conducted in front of command sergeants major, posed mental angst.
Day 3, however, proved the most physically taxing.
The day started at 3:30 a.m. with a 12-mile road march that included carrying a rifle and 35-pound rucksack. After a quick clean up and breakfast, the Soldiers then moved to a series of round-robin ranges that included land navigation, urban assault lanes, an obstacle course, drill and ceremony, and qualification at both the 9mm and M16/M4 ranges.
As a drill sergeant who transforms civilians into Soldiers, Roy said he felt like it was his duty to push himself at every event.
"Remembering what you stand for and what you are here for is really important," he said.
That test of drive and ability all wrapped up with the camaraderie and spirit of competition is just what makes Best Warrior competitions so great, said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Robinson, command sergeant major for Military Intelligence Readiness Command.
"I love Best Warrior competitions -- the chance to see my peers and their Soldiers getting after it," he said. "It's one of the best things the Army has ever created."
The competition served another purpose for Maj. Gen. Mark McQueen, commanding general of 108th.
"Now, you have the opportunity to go back to your formations and challenge your Soldiers, and that is what I am asking you to do," he said. "Just like this competition here this week, I'm asking you to finish [sprinting]; cross that finish line wherever that's going to be in your career."
After the competitions concluded, Arnold said he and his staff are not resting on their laurels but are already making plans to improve on this year's successes, including adding even more commands.
"We want to make next year's competition even better than this year's," he said, "and in my humble opinion, this year's competition was the best that we have had yet."
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BEST WARRIOR/ DSOY WINNERS
Overall combined Best Warrior: Sgt. Chase Craig
84TH TRAINING COMMAND
Soldier of the Year: Pfc. Ladarius Smith
NCO of the Year: Sgt. Chase Craig
ARMY RESERVE AVIATION CMD
Soldier of the Year: Spc. Dawson Birchall
NCO of the Year: Sgt. Ricky Elmore
ARMY RESERVE CAREERS DIV
NCO of the Year: Sgt. 1st Class Chris Bogard
88TH READINESS DIVISION
Soldier of the Year: Spc. Cole Nelson
NCO of the Year: Sgt. Benjamin Moran
81ST READINESS DIVISION
Soldier of the Year: Spc. Christo-pher Abell
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE READINESS COMMAND
Soldier of the Year: Spc. Joshua Schwartz
NCO of the Year: Sgt. Donald Smith
108TH TRAINING COMMAND (IET)
Soldier of the Year: Spc. Darren Odell
NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Derek Hopkins
Drill Sergeant of the Year: Staff Sgt. Shane Price
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