Sgt. Travis Parsons, Space and Missile Defense Command, works on his TA-50 gear during the 2009 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition on Sept. 22. The first task of the day for the warriors was the issuing of combat gear. The competitors spread out on the floor of the Post Field House as they collected, inventoried, and assembled their Kevlar helmets, body armor, and rucksack. Afterward, the competitors engaged in reflexive fire training. Photo by Mike Strasser Sgt. Travis Parsons has spent the past year working hard, striving to become the Army’s “best warrior.” He has already been named the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s “Soldier of the Year.”

Parsons arrived in Fort Lee, Virginia September 28–October 3, from current duty station in Okinawa, Japan, as one of 24 of the Army’s finest warriors, representing 12 commands from across the Army, to compete in the 2009 Best Warrior Competition. Described as the “Super Bowl” of Army competitions, the Best Warrior celebrates its eighth year this year.

Sgt. Travis Parsons A former Spring Valley High School student, the 21–year–old Parsons received his Army basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, moving to Fort Gordon, Georgia for advanced individual training in Satellite Communications and Network Coordination. He is on assignment now with E Company, 53rd Signal Battalion, Okinawa, Japan, working as a Satellite Network Controller. Parsons is married and is currently pursuing a degree in physics.

Parsons competed against other warriors throughout the past year, mastering a series of benchmarks to qualify for the Army–wide Best Warrior Competition. During the competition, Parsons, along with the other Warriors, tested their Army aptitude by conquering urban warfare simulations, board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams, and Warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.

In addition, Warriors went before two selection boards comprised of six senior sergeants from across the Army. These boards evaluated each competitor’s appearance, military bearing, and knowledge of critical Army topics.

Parsons says he plans to take some leave time after the Best Warrior Competition to visit his father and two brothers in Columbia, as well as his mother in Augusta, Georgia, before returning to complete his three– year tour of duty in Okinawa.