CONUS Replacement Center Soldier wins Soldier of the Year

By Capt. Asa Leveaux, CONUS Replacement Center

FORT HOOD, Texas — A CONUS Replacement Center Soldier competed and won the First Army Division West Soldier of the Year competition here May 26-29, 2015.

After four days of physical and mental tests that measured the strength of the Division West’s best, Spec. Allante Gay, a Soldier assigned to the CONUS Replacement Center Soldier, Fort Bliss, Texas, won first place in the E-4 and below category the division’s Best Warrior Competition.

The competition consisted of the Army Physical Fitness Test, a written exam, individual weapons qualification, an obstacle course, a 12-mile foot march, combative drills, day and night land navigation, and an appearance before a senior enlisted review board.

“Knowing that other people believed in me enough to send me to compete was an honor in itself,” said Gay. “Internally I wanted to be successful at the competition. There was an added pressure to do well because I was representing something greater than myself. I am absolutely proud of all that I have accomplished but for me it is ’business as usual’.”

Gay mobilized with the CRC as a Movement Specialist and since mobilizing he’s represented himself and the CRC with pride.

“I have an obligation to myself and my fellow Soldiers to remain tactically and technically proficient,” added Gay. “I take that obligation very seriously, in garrison it’s shown through competition in an operational environment it could mean someone’s life. Win or lose my performance was in line with my personal expectations. Winning was just an affirmation for those who believe in me,” said Gay.

Gay will move on to compete in the First Army Best Warrior Competition later this summer with the full support of his battalion leadership.

“Specialist Gay is a great representative of the Soldiers of the 95th Training Division,” said Lt. Col. Brian Warnock, CRC commander. “In his first two months mobilized with Task Force Viper, CONUS Replacement Center mission, he has graduated from the Fort Bliss Air Assault Course and won the First Army Division West Best Warrior Competition. Simply outstanding.”