Best Warriors announced at AUSA Convention

Photo By Master Sgt. Reeba Critser | WASHINGTON (Oct. 9, 2006) - Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alexander, a healthcare specialist with U.S. Army Central Area Support Group at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, was selected as the 2006 Department of Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Alexander, a native of Upper Darby, Penn., was selected out of 10 NCOs in the competition Oct. 2 to 6 at Fort Lee, Va. Alexander earned an Associate Degree in General Studies from American Public University and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. He has one daughter. The competition tested the candidates on physical strength, intellectual stamina, Soldier skills and Army values. The events included the physical fitness test, land navigation, weapons qualifications, urban warfare simulations, a board, an essay and warrior drills. Alexander was presented with various honors from military associations and Army retirees and will be featured at upcoming Army events.  

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES

10.10.2006

Story by Sgt. Danny McCormick 

U.S. Army Central   

By Sgt. Danny McCormick
U.S. Army Central, Third Army Public Affairs Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 10, 2006) – A year comprised of several oral board appearances and a multitude of related events, culminating with the Best Warrior competition at Fort Lee, Va., Oct. 2 to 6, has earned two Soldiers bragging rights for the next year.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alexander, a healthcare specialist with U.S. Army Central Area Support Group at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, was selected as the 2006 Department of Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Alexander, a native of Upper Darby, Penn., was selected out of 10 NCOs in the competition.

Spc. John Emmett, an Army Reserve Soldier assigned as a signal support systems specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 21st Theater Support Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany, was selected as the 2006 Department of Army Soldier of the Year. Emmett, a native of Greenwood, Ind., was selected out of 10 junior enlisted Soldiers in the competition.

The Best Warrior competition tested the 20 candidates on physical strength, intellectual stamina, basic combat and first aid skills. The events included the physical fitness test, urban land navigation, weapons qualifications, urban warfare simulations, an oral board, a written exam and other combat related drills.

Emmett said of the events, you can't select a 'Best Warrior' without doing the competition and these tasks.

When asked what he thought of the competition and who would be the winner, Alexander said that typically combat arms Soldiers do better in these competitions, "but we all have our strengths and weaknesses."

The two Soldiers received their awards at the Sergeant Major of the Army luncheon Oct. 9, 2006, hosted by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, the U.S. Army's top enlisted member.

Preston asked of all of the Soldiers in the competition what they thought of it and how it could be made better. He also wanted to know if the competition was fair to all of the participants, some of whom have never seen combat.

Alexander replied, "This competition encompasses exactly what our Soldiers are doing on a daily basis in combat. How can you not hold a competition to that level?"

The participants face a minimum of four lesser competitions before they reach the Best Warrior level. Which means that they have won competitions at company, brigade, battalion and division levels prior to their appearance here.

But that doesn't mean that they are arrogant of their abilities.

Emmett was very modest about his win, "Each of those Soldiers [who lost] are better than me. All of us came here to win. They deserve respect."

Alexander said, "The events are geared toward the Warrior Ethos – IEDs, evacuating casualties, room clearing. These are things you need to know from the bottom to top for survival in the battlefield. These are the things we need to be teaching our Soldiers."

Guests included Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody who said of the two, "Soldiers want to be with you. They want to trust you, they want to be led by you. You're representing over 1 million in our Army today. We're all proud of you."

Emmett said, "The 'Best Warrior' competition is made to be contemporary and modern. Even though I'm a Army Reserve Soldier, we are an Army of One. We are all an essential part of this mission."

Karen Emmett, Spc. Emmett's mother, said of her son's win, "We're so proud of him. He's setting the example for his family and community."

Scott Emmett, his father, said simply, "Words fail me."

Alexander and Emmett were also presented with various honors from military associations and Army retirees. The two will be featured at upcoming Army events.

• Date Taken: 10.10.2006
• Date Posted: 10.10.2006 14:45
• Story ID: 7973
• Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US