Photo By Sgt. David Turner | Sgt. Michael Hughes (right), an automated supply specialist from Syracuse, Neb.,...... read more read more
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The Army Reserve held its 2017 Best Warrior Competition (BWC) here over the course of six days, June 11-17.
20 of the most promising warriors from the U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) met at Ft. Bragg to vie for the title of best Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) and enlisted Soldier of the Year. Soldiers volunteered to compete regionally, within their respective commands, and those winners moved forward to compete here in the annual USARC BWC. Competitors Sgt. Michael Hughes with the 2-377th and Spc. Robert Lee Davis Jr. with 1-415th Alpha Company, represented the 95th Training Division (IET) and the 108th Training Command (IET).
Hughes, A drill sergeant for the 95th Training Division is participating in BWC because he saw it as an chance to grow as a Soldier and Drill Sergeant. His willingness to compete is driven by the additional opportunity to train.
“As a Drill Sergeant it is our job the to show young Soldiers what’s right,” Hughes said. “I enjoy setting the standard, and competing in the Best Warrior Competition alongside talented Soldiers helps me keep to the Army standard and bring it back to basic training Soldiers,” he concluded.
SPC Davis is using the Best Warrior competition as a learning opportunity.
“The Best Warrior Competition allows me additional training outside of my unit, on the civilian side I work at a bank, There’s not much up physical activity there” he chuckled.
With aspirations of becoming a drill sergeant, the competition contains an additional benefit.
“Competing alongside SGT Hughes has been motivating,” said Davis. “During this competition I’ve received additional training in preparation for Drill Sergeant School that I wouldn’t get on my own time.”
Neither Hughes nor Davis chose to compete against the Army’s best-of-the-best because competition drives them, but rather because of the extended training they are able to receive before and during the Best Warrior Competition.
Being an Army Reserve Soldier allows service to the nation while also providing the opportunity for Soldiers to go school, work civilian jobs and continue to receive benefits for military service. Soldiers are able to spend more time with their Families and pursue civilian careers while enlisted in the Army Reserve.
“My family means everything to me, they are what motivates me to be a better Soldier, husband and father,” said Davis. “Before I began working for Wells Fargo I attended college, if it wasn’t for the Army Reserve I would not have had that opportunity or the flexibility to go to school, work and spend time with my family.”
Reserve Soldiers are often able to combine their military and civilian skills sets, making for a stronger, highly qualified Soldier for the military, and employee for the civilian workforce.
As a Reserve drill sergeant, Hughes has the opportunity to continue to grow in his military career while working a civilian job in construction. “Attention to detail is important, especially in construction,” he said. “I learned that being in the Army and I use that skill set for my civilian job.”
With a motto of the “First in Training” the 108th Training Command expects a lot from their Soldiers and noncommissioned officers, both as they lead Soldiers, and as the challenge themselves.
“America’s Army Reserve is the most capable combat ready lethal Federal Reserve force in the history of the nation, the opportunity to represent the command and my unit as their Best Warrior is an honor in itself,” said Davis.
The U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition provides the USARC winners with the opportunity to compete against the Army National Guard and active duty counterparts for the titles of the 2017 Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2017 12:09 |
| Story ID: | 248678 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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