First Army East Hosts Best Warrior Competition

By Sgt. Vannessa L. Josey, 158th Infantry Brigade Public AffairsApril 11, 2012

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1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers prepare for Night Land Navigation during the First
Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition, held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. From Left to right: Sgt. 1st Class Bo Whitson, Sp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Andre Wiley makes adjustments on the M249 while at
the range during the First Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. the last week in March 2012... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Joseph Miller fills out a 9-Line MEDEVAC card
during the First Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. the last week of March 2012. (U.S. A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Bo Whitson makes adjustments before
preparing to fire a .50CAL during the First Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. the last week o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Joseph Miller low crawls on the Air Assault Course during the First Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. the last week in March 2012. (U.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. James Severin negotiates an obstacle on the Air Assault Course during the First Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. the last week in Mar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Timothy Andriese takes the wall on the Air Assault Course while competing in the First Army Division East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. the last week in Ma... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Camp Atterbury, Ind. -- "Train for Combat" isn't just First Army Division East's motto, it's a way of life. Recently, seven Soldiers put action behind those words when they competed against each other for the title of Best Warrior.

The First army East Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition held the last week of March at Camp Atterbury, Ind., featured a variety of mental, physical and leadership challenges.

First Army Division East Command Sergeant Major Edwin Rodriguez designed the competition to find the NCO and Soldier to best represent Division East but was proud of all the Soldiers who volunteered to compete.

"We all wear the First Army patch, even though there's going to be one winner for Soldier and one winner for NCO," Rodriguez said. "This is a team effort. It requires tremendous participation from all members, teams, sponsors and units."

To compete for the Division East title, Soldiers first competed and won at their company, battalion and brigade quarter and year boards. Each brigade sent only one Soldier and one NCO to compete at the division competition.

Staff Sergeant James Severin, 188th Infantry Brigade, For Stewart, Ga., and Specialist Timothy Andariese, 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, Joint Base Maguire Dix Lakehurst, N.J., walked away with the titles. However, the battle was hard fought.

Among challenges the Soldiers faced: day and night navigation courses and a six-mile road march that tested the competitor's technical abilities to shoot, move and communicate.

"The easiest, at least mentally, was Land Navigation," said Severin. "It was kind of like falling off a bike. I think the furthest point was at night and it was like one kilometer so I was like I can do that."

During the first task, Soldiers assessed, treated and stabilized a wounded casualty. Then, under simulated direct fire, moved the casualty to a safe place and called for a medical evacuation.

They assembled and completed a radio check with a military radio system. Next, Soldiers correctly donned a chemical mask and decontaminated themselves after a simulated chemical attack.

The final station tested Soldiers accuracy with an M4, 240B, and a M2 50-cal weapon.

"Probably the last two miles of the ruck march were the hardest," said Andariese. "There were no tasks to be done; it was just straight rucking. And after you had been stopped for so long, your legs cool down."

On the last day, Soldiers zeroed and qualified on their assigned weapon. Throughout the competition, Soldiers knew going into each event, what skills they needed. However, the final physical event of the competition - completing an obstacle course for time -- was not revealed until immediately began.

"I was pleasantly surprised," said Severin. "Anytime you do an obstacle course, I always find that very fun. Back in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, we would do combat focused PT and that was mostly nothing but obstacle courses. I knew how to do this -- except for the belly buster."

During the final event, judges evaluated each Soldier's military appearance and knowledge.

"You can't be a physical stud and then have nothing upstairs," said Severin. "So, there's really an overall approach. And then the preparation of the competition itself really, in my opinion, a character builder."

Rodriguez acknowledged all the hard work required to compete at the Division competition, but said the competition and knowledge that a Soldier stands out from his or her peers is worth it.

"It's important for the Army; I's part of the leadership development program," Rodriguez explained. He said leaders want to know which Soldiers care, "how physically fit they are, how they stand from the rest of their peers. That's who is here. They're number one, so they're here for the First Army Division East competition."

Even though he didn't win, Spc. Jeffrey Einsig, 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Miss., agreed with Rodriguez.

"For one,it helps build a sense of pride in your unit. For another, I get to meet all these other high-speed guys down here, get to make some connections. That's what the Army's about -- making connections, sharing ideas, sharing stories, and learning," Einsig said.

"I'm definitely older than most specialists," said Andariese. "And this was me proving to myself that I can absolutely keep up and contribute the most that could."

Setting himself apart and bettering himself are among the reasons Einsig participated. "Do everything your peers aren't. These boards help you out whether you believe it or not. They give you the knowledge. All you have to do as a Soldier is apply that knowledge."

Both winning Soldiers had advice for the next to compete in this competition as well as every day.

"You can't go wrong because you are going to learn about yourself," said Severin. "Not just Army stuff in general. There is some real world value to it; you just have to keep your eyes and mind open.

"Study, work out, and push yourself," said Andariese. "Overall, push yourself. Only focus on the tasks that you have for that day. Don't think ahead to the tasks coming later. Go out there and do your best at that moment, and you'll be good to go."

Winning Soldiers will represent Division East at the First Army Competition later this Spring.