Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Basa

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Nine soldiers from the 9th Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), and Hawaii National Guard (HIARNG) competed for first place in the Best Warrior competition 2022 March 4-6 at Schofield Barracks and Bellows Air Force Station. The BWC is jointly operated between the Army Reserve and HIARNA. However, for this year’s contest, the HIARNA was the main planning element.

“The Best Warrior competition tests our soldiers’ basic movement, shooting and communication skills,” said BWC organizer Command Sgt. HIANG. Major James Ryan Jimenez,

“It measures competence. It builds preparedness,” he said.

“We have soldiers who don’t have the opportunity to shoot regularly. It’s extra trigger time where they can hone their combat skills even more,” he added.

Although the HIARNG announced its NCOs and enlisted the winners shortly after the final event, the 9th MSC revealed its two winners the following day.

The Army Reserve NCO of the Year winners were Master Sgt. Jeremy Dornbusch, and Spc Soldier of the Year. Shawbaz Soaia. Both are from the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.

“It means a lot to me to be able to represent the 100th Battalion,” Dornbusch said. “Think about it, work hard. No matter your age or your MOS (military occupation specialty), you can do whatever you want.

“It wasn’t easy. I absolutely had to deserve it,” Soaia said. “Now I’m even more excited to keep training harder and studying more. Hopefully we can bring him home.

They will both advance to compete in the U.S. Army Pacific’s Best Warrior competition in Hawaii, which will include active duty, National Guard and Reserve soldiers.

BWC consisted of various events over the course of three days. The first day started with the Army Combat Fitness Test and then followed with the Land Navigation and Obstacle Course event. The second day consisted of an individual weapons qualification, a road march and a written test. The last day ended with warrior tasks and an appearance chart.
For Spc. Charles Johnson, 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, BWC can enhance a soldier as a whole.

“You forget things like setting up claymore (mines)…we have hand grenades and CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) scenarios that exist outside of just putting on your mask,” Johnson said. “BWC expands your spectrum of what the military has to offer.”

For another contestant, Sgt. Steven Jones, 411th Engineer Battalion, felt BWC was a personal challenge.

“This event gave me the opportunity to really leverage my strengths and hone in on my weaknesses, so I can figure out what I need to improve on,” Jones said.

Starting in September, the army will hold the first competition for the best team that will replace BWC. It will emphasize team cohesion while evaluating soldiers individually.

“It will be a great opportunity to incorporate our soldiers to get back to our team-level mentality,” Jimenez said.