CAMP DARBY, Italy - Staff. Sgt. Michael Rosado Department of Emergency Services, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, Darby Military Community, earned the title of “Best Warrior” at the 2024 IMCOM-E four-day competition held in Ansbach, Germany.
“We are immensely proud of Staff. Sgt. Rosado with the understanding that this achievement did not occur overnight. He has dedicated himself and his personal time to improving his mental and physical readiness in preparation for the competition,” said U.S. Army Garrison Italy Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno.
“Staff Sgt. Rosado has filled many roles at the Camp Darby Provost Marshal’s Office during his time, but the most important is as a leader who isn’t afraid of a challenge,” said Provost Marshal Capt. Peyton Lange. “His discipline in both physical readiness and mental preparation for the IMCOM-E Best Warrior competition paid dividends as he recently won the competition.”
The competition consisted of a multitude of events to include the Army Combat Fitness Test, German and U.S. Weapons Qualifications, Warrior Task and Battle Drills, Obstacle Course, and Day/Night Land Navigation, numerous physical fitness events, marksmanship drills, medical tasks, a written essay and an oral board that tested his overall knowledge and expertise of a multitude of Army programs and regulations.
“We started off with a packing layout focusing on attention to detail while working under pressure,” said Rosado, who underlined how significant the support of his sponsors and in particular Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Witt, provost NCO at Darby Military Community was.
According to Rosado the healthy competition in the Darby DES really helped in staying focused and motivated.
“In physical fitness it’s an ongoing goal between me and the Provost Marshal, and 1st Sgt. doing the best that we can at the Army Combat Fitness Test,” said Rosado.
Rosato who is at 16 years in his military career, was initially unsure whether to participate and he saw that this might be his last opportunity to take part in this competition.
“Trying to keep up with younger Soldiers is not the same when you are my age, but it was so much fun,” said Rosado. “It’s nice to feel the competitiveness but at the same time everyone was just so supportive and being in an environment where so many capable people just to try and do their best.”
According to Moreno, Rosado has proven himself repeatedly to be an outstanding leader that chooses to mentor and guide junior Soldiers and Non-Commissioned Officers at DMC.
“He has proven to the younger Soldiers that it is never too late to put yourself out there and to always accept challenges.”
The role of sponsors and supporters during such a tough competition is vital.
“I was hesitant at the beginning, not knowing what to expect or if I was ready or not but then taking tasks day by day and following my sponsor’s advice to just go out there, do my best and have fun, I made it,” said Rosado.
“Being able to be in Germany with him at the competition, motivating, coaching, and ultimately hearing his name called as the winner was truly an honor,” said Moreno. “I feel immensely proud of Staff Sgt. Rosado’s accomplishment, and this is a direct reflection of Sgt. 1st Class Witt and Capt. Lange’s, his direct line supervisors, efforts and dedication to train him.”
Rosado only took a four-day break from his physical training after the competition, then restarted his cross-fitness program at a local gym and is staying involved with the community by competing with Italian militaries in the Commander’s Cup.
“Rosado spent the last year training and preparing to compete and win against the best NCOs in each garrison across Europe,” said Witt. “To earn the title of IMCOM-Europe’s NCO of the Year is an incredible accomplishment, and reflects great credit upon himself, the Darby Military Community, and the United States Army Garrison, Italy.”
Rosado took away some very important lessons about comradery, motivation, strength and leadership.
“As a well-rounded leader within the MP Corps, Rosado provides daily mentorship to our junior Soldiers and NCOs,” said Lange. “He will apply the lessons learned from his time at the IMCOM-E Best Warrior competition as he helps mold the individuals within the PMO.”
“The Camp Darby Provost Marshal’s Office is extremely proud of Rosado and will continue to support him as he goes on to compete in the U.S. Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition July 27-31 at Fort Novosel, Alabama,” said Lange.
Rosado will prepare now to compete in the week-long U.S. Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition which will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team.
“We will look to challenge his capabilities in the upcoming months to ensure that he is as sharp as possible,” said Moreno. “I will tell him that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to, he is IMCOM-Europe’s BEST Noncommissioned Officer, and this is only the beginning.”
Rosado also earned the German Army’s Silver “Schützenschnur” marksmanship badge.
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