Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Competitors for the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition,...... read more read more
CAMP PARKS, Calif. – First Sgt. Kelly Javier, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command first sergeant, organized and conducted a Best Warrior Competition at the Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area in Dublin, Calif., March 23-26.
The Best Warrior Competition is an annual competition overseen by the Department of the Army as a means of identifying and recognizing Soldiers in active, special operations, National Guard and Reserve components of the United States Army.
During this three-day competition, participants are tested on their Army aptitude, conquering urban warfare simulations, board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams, Warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.
Brig. Gen. David Elwell, 311th ESC commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Grady Blue, 311th ESC command sergeant major, traveled to Camp Parks to watch the events, cheer on the competitors and hand out awards on the final day.
“Unlike the seasonal APFT or NCO board, the Best Warrior Competition brings all the warriors together in one competition, which includes fitness, military bearing and proficiency, and all of the skills needed to be successful,” said Brig. Gen. Elwell. “The best part of this competition is seeing the competitors using their Soldier skills and excelling, and the most important part is recognizing those Soldiers who have succeeded.”
The sergeant major board was manned by Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Simms, 211th Transportation Company command sergeant major, Master Sgt. Shadonika Crawford, 304th Sustainment Brigade signal specialist NCOIC, Command Sgt. Maj. Grady Blue, 311th ESC command sergeant major and President of the Board, and 1st Sgt. Robert Hubbarb, 95th Maintenance Company first sergeant.
Many of the Soldiers who competed in this event had already competed in prior competitions, which made this a competitive event. The winners of this event will go on to compete at the 79th Sustainment Support Command, then on to the U.S. Army Reserve Command level, and finally to the Department of the Army level.
The NCO winner was Sgt. Felix Garcia, 311th ESC noncommissioned officer, Los Angeles, Calif., and the junior enlisted winner was Spc. Kenny Ochoa, 481st Transportation Company, Port Hueneme, Calif.
A bright star in the competition was Staff Sgt. Jessica Cabrera, 155th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, El Monte, Calif. When she was in ranks and the call for volunteers to compete at the Best Warrior Competition no one raised their hand, so she decided to be a leader.
“I knew that when no one raised their hand that I had to step up to the plate,” said Cabrera. “I know that I inspired others in my unit and I know that next year we will have more competitors from my unit.”
Among the events, the competitors endured the Army physical fitness test, consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and a two mile-run, doing combative exercises, competing in a special event assembling and un-assembling weapons, and a six-mile road march.
The importance of this competition is to show others in the command what skills our warriors possess day to day in defense of our nation’s security. During these events, Soldiers come together, competing and helping each other to be successful with a competitive spirit.
To see the competitors continued resolve during this event makes the Army stronger in many ways, developing the next generation of Soldiers to lead the Army.
The 311th ESC’s primary mission is to command the sustainment brigades that provide combat support and combat service support in the areas of supply, maintenance, transportation, field services and the functional brigades or battalions.
The 311th ESC command currently has 62 assigned units over three western states, including California, Nevada and Arizona. The command has continued to gain strength and now has more than 6,500 assigned. The command is designed to deploy into a theater of operations, assume command of the logistical units in place and provide oversight and material management.
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2017 02:20 |
| Story ID: | 229068 |
| Location: | DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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