FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Spc. James A. Conklin, a native of Forked River, N.J., is preparing for the Department of Army competition to claim the title of "Best Warrior," Oct. 15-18 at Fort Lee, Va.
"My motto is 'give 100 percent and never quit,'" said Conklin. "I am a competitor and I love to compete in anything and everything. I am ready for the ultimate challenge--competing at DA."
In the DA Best Warrior competition, Conklin will compete with noncommissioned officers and Soldiers from U.S. Army commands worldwide. These elite Soldiers will test their physical and mental skills against one another in areas including warrior tasks and battle drills, field tactics, fitness, board interviews, written exams, marksmanship and urban warfare--determining the best, well-rounded warriors.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III is slated to oversee the annual, high-paced competition, which is open to the select few in the ranks of private through sergeant first class.
Conklin, an 88H cargo specialist with the 690th Transportation Detachment (Rapid Port Opening Element), 833rd Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, has been in the Army nearly four years. He is certified in combatives level one and two, combat-life savers, field sanitation and as a bus driver. His short-term plans include winning the Soldier of the Year title, achieving the rank of sergeant and obtaining his associate's degree.
"Specialist Conklin represents the best and the brightest of the new generation of today's Army," said Maj. Keith Pruett, 690th RPOE commander. "It is Soldiers like him who will carry-on our values and traditions, and in turn, pass them onto future ranks. I could not be more proud of him. This is only the beginning of his great journey."
Conklin holds three "Best Warrior" titles: the 597th Trans. Bde., the Military SDDC; and the Army Materiel Command. He will represent AMC at the DA competition.
"The most challenging part of the competitions has been staying motivated while dealing with physical and mental exhaustion," said Conklin. "Each level has been more difficult than the last, but I am ready for the next challenge. Over the past year, I have been training continuously, increasing my knowledge, strength, endurance and agility.
"I exercise two to three hours per day, run five to eight miles, lift weights, ruck march with more than 100 pounds of gear, train at the weapons range and simulator, practice land navigation, eat healthy and study history, current events, TM's (Army technical manuals), AR's (Army regulations), TC's (training circulars) and FM's (field manuals)."
Conklin's comprehensive training regimen has been noticed throughout all levels in his chain of command.
"Specialist Conklin has continued to hone his skills and stay focused with each consecutive competition," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Blasko, 597th Trans. Bde. command sergeant major. "We are proud of him and his accomplishments, and are confident that he is more than ready to succeed at the next level."
"Specialist Conklin is a determined Soldier with the will to win," said 1st Sgt. Jennifer Callicutt, 690th RPOE first sergeant. "He has been an advocate for mentorship in the community and generously volunteers his time to help others, whether becoming a role model for juvenile delinquents in the Newport News post-detention program called 'Helping Young People to Excel' or following his comrade in a moving van during an 800-mile bike trek to raise awareness for breast cancer. Conklin serves as an inspiration for his fellow Soldiers and embodies the Warrior Ethos."
Conklin's long-term goals include completing a master's degree in criminal justice, and retiring from the Army. During his downtime, he enjoys listening to music, bass fishing, football, baseball and furthering his education.
"Specialist Conklin is a Soldier who strives to be the best, whether he's working out, studying or driving the bus," said Sgt. Douglas McBroom, a 690th RPOE 88H cargo specialist. "His eyes are always glued to field manuals and army regulations. Conklin is a well-rounded Soldier who deserves to win Soldier of the Year at every level!"