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JB MDL Soldier wins MEDCOM Best Warrior competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Each year the Army holds numerous Best Warrior Competitions throughout the twelve major commands, but few Soldiers advance to the major command-level competitions, much less win them.

Spc. Dusty Edwards, Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory medical laboratory technician, did just that.

Edwards, representing the Northern Regional Medical Command, competed against nine other Soldiers from across medical command at the 2011 U.S. Army Medical Command Best Warrior Competition June 10 through 16 at Fort Bragg, N.C. He and his fellow competitors qualified at the local and regional levels allowing them to advance to participate in this competition.

"It was a great competition and I'm very honored to be representing all the medics in the Army," said Edwards.

The competitors were tested on a variety of events including the Army Physical Fitness Test, several exams testing their Army knowledge, soldiering skills and warrior tasks; rifle qualification; day- and night-land navigation; weapons assembly, disassembly and functions tests; oral boards; essay; combatives tournament; and several "mystery" events throughout the competition.

Edwards scored a perfect 300 score on his APFT, maxing out his pushups, sit ups and completing the two mile run in 13 minutes.

If the competition itself wasn't difficult enough, Edwards faced his most difficult challenge before the first day was even over.

"I received a phone call from his wife while he was competing in his Army Physical Fitness Test," said Army Staff Sgt. Sean McPeak, medical laboratory technician and Edwards' direct supervisor. "She informed me (Edwards') father passed away that morning. After informing the chain of command, the decision was made to tell him in between events."

Edwards decided to continue, despite facing the news of his father's passing.

"It was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made, but I knew he would want me to continue," said Edwards. "I just had to push through."

Push through is exactly what Edwards did with the support of his entire command. He cemented himself as the top medic in the MEDCOM Soldier division.

Edwards received an Army Commendation Medal, a $1,000 savings bond, various coins, gift certificates, tactical equipment and an M-4 rifle for his accomplishment.

Edwards will now move on to compete against the top Soldiers from the 12 other commands across the Army in October, to determine the next U.S. Army Best Warrior.