ANSBACH, Germany (May 20, 2021) – A U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach NCO won the 2021 Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Best Warrior Competition as Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year announced on May 6.
Sgt. David Baker, a traffic investigator, Directorate of Emergency Services, beat out three other competitors in a virtual board held by Headquarters IMCOM, located in San Antonio.
“This was not an easy competition by any means,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Bohannon. “He endured a 35-minute virtual board where he was challenged with some very tough questions pulled from a myriad of Army Institutional topics.”
Baker interviewed with five command sergeants major of two- and three-star commands answering questions and demonstrating military bearing via video teleconference.
“Winning IMCOM to me is a major accomplishment,” said Baker who enlisted in October 2017. “But I can't focus on that any longer, I have to move on to the next competition.”
Bohannon added, “from the day I told him he would represent this garrison, he always gave this task 100 percent and his efforts paid off.”
Baker credits a majority of his success to his leadership challenging him such as 1st Sgt. Antonio Soto, Master Sgt. Yenkhahn Doan, Sgt. 1st Class Santana Williams, and Sgt. Nathan Schreiner, who were important in preparing him for the competition.
“I will do what has been working so far, studying throughout most days, and training in the gym each night,” said Baker.
“I am absolutely amazed at the level of drive, initiative, and organizational pride displayed by Sgt. Baker,” said Lt. Col. Adrian Foster, director of Emergency Services and Installation Provost Marshal. “The Best Warrior Competition is a multi-day, physically and mentally demanding event with talented competitors striving for excellence across many disciplines vital to our profession of arms.
“Sgt. Baker represents the very best of us and embodies the values upon which our service is founded,” said Foster. “I am proud of him and can’t wait for the next phase of the competition.”
Baker won the IMCOM-Europe competition in March and will now compete in Camp Atterbury, Indiana, for recognition at the Army Materiel Command level in June.
Social Sharing