By Eric Hortin, NETCOM
Representing organizations from around the globe, 10 Soldiers – five junior enlisted and five noncommissioned officers – competed for the title of Best Warrior during the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command competition here, June 12-15. The competition is filled with various events and tasks designed to test their knowledge, strength and leadership and to show they have what it takes to earn the title.
After a long, challenging competition, the title of Best Warrior went to Sgt. Travis Wilt, representing the 311th Signal Command (Theater) at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and Spc. Samuel Latimore, representing the 5th Signal Command (Theater) at Wiesbaden, Germany. The announcement was made during the award ceremony at NETCOM Headquarters, June 16.
Competition runners-up were Sgt. Antonio Simmons, representing the 160th Signal Brigade, and Spc. Steven Laboe, representing the 311th SC(T).
Throughout the week the Soldiers took part in a series of tasks and events which included the Army Physical Fitness Test, M4 Rifle Marksmanship, Urban Day/Night Orienteering, Army Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, Mystery Tasks, essay writing and the formal Sergeants Major Board. Each of these tasks tested the strength, endurance and mental agility of the Soldiers.
“This has been a hard week — physically and mentally demanding,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Stephfon Watson, NETCOM’s command sergeant major. “These NCOs (noncommissioned officers) and Soldiers — these Warriors — demonstrated to me that our Army is moving in the right direction.”
“It’s not just about a competition that runs over a finite number of days,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Isaacson, NETCOM’s deputy commanding general. “There are hours of studying and weeks of preparation. My hat is off to all of you.”
Wilt and Latimore will continue to train in preparation for the next level of competition at U.S. Army Cyber Command.
Editor’s Note: Latimore was also recently named the Soldier of the year for U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Installation Management Command-Europe and 5th Signal Command.
To view more photos of NETCOM’s Best Warriors, visit their Flickr page: click here.