Migration
Army names 2018 soldier, NCO of the year
Stars and Stripes
October 9, 2018
Cpl. Matthew Hagensick, center, the 2018 Soldier of the Year, poses with Army Vice Chief of Staff James McConville, left, and Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey, right, on Oct. 8, 2018, at the Association of the United States Army annual meeting in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of AUSA News)
Cpl. Matthew Hagensick, center, the 2018 Soldier of the Year, poses with Army Vice Chief of Staff James McConville, left, and Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey, right, on Oct. 8, 2018, at the Association of the United States Army annual meeting in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of AUSA News)
Sgt. 1st Class Sean Acosta, center, the U.S. Army's 2018 NCO of the Year poses with Army Vice Chief of Staff James McConville, left, and Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey, right, on Oct. 8, 2018, at the Association of the United States Army annual meeting in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of AUSA News)
An Army Ranger and a civil affairs specialist took first place in this year’s Best Warrior competition, earning recognition as the Army’s soldier and noncommissioned officer of the year.
Cpl. Matthew Hagensick, of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, was recognized as the Best Soldier on Monday during the annual Association of the United States Army meeting in Washington. Sgt. 1st Class Sean Acosta, assigned to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, was named top NCO.
The Best Warrior competition included 11 soldiers and 11 NCOs representing 11 commands from across the Army. The finalists were selected after a series of qualification rounds during the past year.
During a six-day competition, the competitors tested their knowledge, skills and abilities by conquering urban warfare simulations and demonstrating critical thinking as well as undergoing formal board interviews, physical fitness challenges, written exams and other tests.