Installation Management Command Europe announced the winners of the 2012 Best Warrior Competition in a ceremony at Heidelberg April 17.
Staff Sgt. Robert C. Donovan from U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Württemberg Directorate of Emergency Services and Spc. Shaquana S. Taylor from the USAG Stuttgart Religious Support Office are the Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.
This is Taylor’s second appearance at the IMCOM-E competition.
The Best Warrior Competition, held in Grafenwöhr April 2-5, consisted of a number of warrior tasks and drills, including an Army Physical Fitness Test, marksmanship, an essay and written examination, a 12-mile foot march with a 35-pound rucksack, warrior tasks and drills, day and night land navigation, and an appearance before a board of brigade command sergeants major.
“This has been a long and grueling competition, one that has tested both these Soldiers’ physical and mental strength, and endurance,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Barry Maieritsch, IMCOM Europe. “I commend all of you for your efforts during this competition.”
During the ceremony, both winners were awarded Army Achievement Medals by Kathleen Marin, IMCOM Europe region director. “The Best Warrior Competition brings together the best of the best… those for whom good enough is never enough,” Marin said.
“You Soldiers and noncommissioned officers have strived not just to excel, but to inspire, understanding that leading by example is not only the right thing to do, but essential to a strong Army family. I am inspired by meeting you all here today, and I want to personally thank you for that.”
Taylor and Donovan went on to represent IMCOM Europe at the National Capital Region Competition in San Antonio, Texas, April 22-26, where the top Soldiers and NCOs from each of IMCOM’s four regions faced off. IMCOM announced April 26 on its Facebook page that Donovan had won the IMCOM NCO of the Year title.
Spc. Kevin Mulloy, assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, was named the IMCOM Soldier of the Year. They will both move on to compete in the All-Army Best Warrior competition to be held later this year.
Editor’s note: Neal Synder and William Bradner, both of IMCOM, also contributed to this story.