Page 8 REVEILLE (CS) May 27, 2010

US Army photo by Sgt. Belynda Faulkner Sgt. 1st Class Julie Hampton, 157th Infantry Brigade, (above) breaks a front choke from Sgt. 1st Class Daiwin Jadan of the 158th Infantry Brigade during the combat- ives portion of the competition. At far left, Spc. Ashley Killian of the 188th Infantry Brigade holds Spc. Monica Almodavor of the 189th Infantry Brigade in a rear choke Tough competition hold during the challenge. Female Soldiers win top spots, move forward in quest for ‘Soldier of the Year’ title By SGT. BELYNDA FAULKNER exams, and tasks and battle drills guide them on their journey combatives instructor. “The great Soldiers out there wanting to CSJFTC Public Affairs relevant to today’s operating envi- through the contest. enemy won’t make a distinction, win it as bad as I did. I felt so ronment. This event is one of sev- For some, the most difficult of so we don’t train with any.” accomplished when Command Sgt. 1st Class Julie Hampton, eral levels leading up to the all the events was the board Sgt. James Sawyer, 205th Sgt. Major Dean said my name - I 157th Infantry Brigade, and Spc. Department of the Army’s Best appearance. Infantry Brigade, turned out as the went out gave it everything I had.” Ashley Killian, 188th Infantry Warrior Competition. “We got the board out of the top athlete in this rigorous test. Though a winner herself, Brigade, defeated 18 other com- “The events in the competition way first,” said Spc. Chad Mann “Combatives were tough as Hampton commended Killian on peting Soldiers to win the First were very challenging for all the of the 177th Armored Brigade. expected,” said Stephens, “but the her win. Army East’s competitors,” said Command Sgt. “After that was over, we didn’t 8-mile road march, with tasks at “I was in total shock; winning is Noncommissioned Officer and Maj. Herlon Stephens, 177th have to stress about it anymore.” stations along the way, made each overwhelming,” Hampton said. Soldier of the Year titles May 6 at Armored Brigade command ser- For others, the physical aspect competitor and sponsors dig deep “In my brigade it was the first time , Ky. These winners geant major. “The level of profes- of the competition weighed more and demonstrate the intestinal for- two females had won there, and mark the first time the division has sionalism of our Soldiers repre- heavily. Combatives began the titude each had.” watching Killian - such a young hailed two female competitors in senting the First Army Division third day of competition, and the But, in the end, it was Hampton female Soldier win was outstand- the annual competition. East was a treat to behold.” challenge remained true to policy. and Killian who demonstrated the ing.” During the week-long competi- The competitors comprised of “According to combative doc- greatest “intestinal fortitude” that The pair will contend for the top tion, these Soldier-competitors Active Duty and Reserve trine, everyone is a Soldier; there Stephens knew existed in each spots in the First Army competi- were tested in their Army aptitude Component Soldiers from the nine is no distinction between male and competitor. tion with the hopes they continue by conquering board interviews, brigades across the division, and female,” explained Staff Sgt. Greg “The competition was tough,” to the U.S. Army Forces physical fitness tests, written each had a sponsor to support and Moxcey, 177th Armored Brigade said Killian. “There were a lot of Command competition.