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Thirty top Soldiers, NCOs and junior officers from U.S. Army Europe’s major subordinate units will compete in USAREUR’s 2014 Best Warrior Competition and Best Junior Officer Competition Sept. 14 to 19 at the Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
The six-day event challenges competitors to complete a series of approximately 20 tasks and missions designed to test their knowledge, physical and battlefield skills in hands-on and situational testing and oral and written examinations. Competitors will tackle a day and night land navigation exercise, an obstacle course, a physical fitness test, a hand-to-hand combat tournament, a battlefield medical scenario and other physical activities. Soldiers and officers also participate in a simulated media interview, write an essay, take a written examination, and demonstrate their military knowledge and bearing for a board of sergeants major.
The USAREUR-level competitors were previously selected as their organizations’ top Soldier, NCO or officer in local competitions at their units across Europe. While units throughout the Army conduct competitions each year to select their best Soldier and NCO, the Best Junior Officer Competition is unique to USAREUR, and highlights the command’s best lieutenants and captains.
This year’s competitors are (in alphabetical order):
• Pfc. Kevin Alba, Bavaria Medical Department Activity
• 2nd Lt. William Alfonsi, A Company, 24th Military Intelligence Battalion
• 1st Lt. Kyle Amonson, D Company, 2-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
• Staff Sgt. William Chavis, 7th Army NCO Academy
• Sgt. Nicholis Couture, 319th Field Artillery
• Cpl. Kyle Craig, C Company, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion
• 2nd Lt. Kristen Daisy, Service Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery
• Staff Sgt. Jessie Darrett, 5th Signal Command
• Staff Sgt. Carlos Eggins, USAREUR Headquarters Battalion
• Staff Sgt. Miguel Garza, U.S. Army Public Health Command Region Europe
• Sgt. Andrew Gunner, A Company, 1st Military Intelligence Battalion
• Pfc. Nicholas Hanson, 319th Field Artillery
• Spc. Donald Irvine, C Company, Allied Forces South Battalion
• Pfc. Paul Islas, D Company, 2-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
• Pfc. Brandon Kirk, Service Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery
• Spc. Roberto Mendez, Headquarters and Service Company, USAREUR Headquarters Battalion
• 1st Lt. Mitchell Messick, A Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry
• Sgt. Steven Miles, K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
• Spc. Brody Moran, A Company, 24th Military Intelligence Battalion
• Sgt. Elliot Pratt, D Company, 2-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
• Pvt. Benjamin Ranew, B Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry
• Sgt. Ricardo Ruiz, C Company, Allied Forces South Battalion
• Sgt. Sean Salter, Service Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery
• Spc. James Simo, Headquarters, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
• 2nd Lt. Sebastian Smoak, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
• Staff Sgt. Jordan Stipp, 709th Military Police Battalion
• 1st Lt. Michael Theising, 15th Engineer Battalion
• Spc. Felix Vallegarcia, C Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
• 1st Lt. Kirk Van Everen, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry
• 1st Lt. Steven White, USAREUR Headquarters Battalion
Winners in the Soldier and NCO categories of the Best Warrior Competition will represent USAREUR in competition at the Department of the Army level Oct. 6 to 10 at Fort Lee, Virginia.
For more information and updates on USAREUR’s Best Warrior and Best Officer competitions, visit www.eur.army.mil/bestwarrior and the USAREUR Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USArmyEurope.
