Photo By Cpl. Andrew Garcia | U.S. Army 1st. Sgt. Yakima Sanderlin, a Healthcare Specialist, from the Regional...... read more read more
Fort Belvoir, Va. (July 30, 2021) — A Headquarters Company, Troop Battalion, Womack Army Medical Center, North Carolina, Soldier is competing in the 2021 U.S. Army Medical Command Best Leader Competition in Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 25-30.
WAMC Health Care Specialist 1st Sgt. Yakima Sanderlin is one of four Soldiers representing the Regional Health Command-Atlantic and one of 16 Soldiers competing for the MEDCOM Soldier or Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award.
“She is undoubtedly the go-to individual,” Command Sgt. Maj. Marcus Miller, Troop Command, WAMC Command Sergeant Major and Sanderlin’s mentor, said. “As her previous commander stated, ‘She is the Real Deal!’ … Understand, she is selfless and takes time to place all those around her under her watch. First Sgt. Sanderlin is a remarkable leader, and it’s an honor to serve alongside her.”
Winners of the 2021 MEDCOM Best Leader Competition will go on to represent MEDCOM at the 2021 Army Best Warrior Competition in the fall. Competitors came from all four of MEDCOM’s regional health commands: RHC-Atlantic, RHC-Central, RHC-Europe and RHC-Pacific.
During the competition, Soldiers are challenged mentally and physically as they compete in a water survival challenge, an obstacle course, day and night land navigation, a “stress shoot” and a mystery event.
Sanderlin said her biggest challenge along the way was balancing her daily duties and responsibilities, college coursework and preparing for the competition.
Of the competition’s events, Sanderlin is looking forward to the team events.
“Any event that will promote team thinking will be my favorite,” Sanderlin said. “Every member brings unique experiences to the table regardless of rank.”
In order to qualify for the 2021 MEDCOM Best Leader Competition, competitors had to compete at the regional level.
A couple of weeks prior to her selection for the regional competition, Sanderlin took on the role of Headquarters Company first sergeant.
Which is one of the reasons Miller said adaptability is one of her strengths.
Miller added that, to prepare for the competition, Sanderlin trained at a local Medical Simulation Training Center, refreshed her Air Assault and Expert Field Medical badge knowledge and practiced land navigation.
He also said, Sanderlin is committed to excellence and the profession.
“She honestly cares and takes the time to understand a problem before making a decision,” Miller added.
“She has the unique ability to process real-life situations and give honest and candid feedback in a timely manner,” Miller said.
Sanderlin has earned Miller’s confidence in her leadership skills and ability to continue to grow as a leader.
“We all continue to learn every day,” Miller said. “As a fairly new first sergeant, I am extremely confident, 1st Sgt. Sanderlin has the drive and character to continue to grow and excel in her position.”
Miller believes Sanderlin has what it takes to be the best leader.
Miller said Sanderlin’s dedication to her duty and the mission is matched only by her genuine concern for her family, the Soldiers and their well-being.
“She leads from the front and always aims to bring out the best [in] all of her teammates,” Miller added.
So, to Sanderlin’s competitors, Miller said, “She is determined, will give it her all, and she always has more in the tank!”
Outside of the competition, Sanderlin said that a goal of hers is to earn entry into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and that her niece and nephews are her greatest inspiration.
“Many of my decisions are with them in mind and ensuring that I am also setting an example for them,” Sanderlin said.
Being a role model and leader is not new for Sanderlin. She was honored nationally in 2005 by Glamour magazine.
“When I was a [private first class], I was selected as one [of] Glamour magazine’s ‘2005 Women of the Year’ for my contributions in support of Hurricane Katrina humanitarian support with the 82nd Airborne Division,” Sanderlin said.
Follow Sanderlin and her competitors on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/OfficalArmyMedicine and @ArmyMedicine.
All competition images and videos, are available at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ArmyMedicineBestLeaderCompetition.
Competition and the MEDCOM Soldier and NCO of the Year award winners are set to be announced during an award ceremony that will be held at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, July 30, 2021.
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2021 17:21 |
| Story ID: | 402152 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 271 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, WAMC Soldier represents Regional Health Command-Atlantic at competition, by Leticia Hopkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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