Guardsman shoulders Best Warrior for Maryland

By Spc. Brianna Kearney, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment—

BALTIMORE (May 15, 2016) — With the weight of the state on his shoulders, one soldier represented Maryland in the 2016 Region II Best Warrior Competition on May 4-8 at Camp Dawson, West Virginia.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Cullum, a recruiter at the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, competed in the noncommissioned officer category against soldiers from four other states and the District of Columbia.

Cullum was the sole competitor for Maryland because recently promoted Sgt. Christopher Hoffman, Maryland’s Soldier of the Year, bowed out to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School to expand his career in aviation.

“All the eggs are in my basket,” Cullum said.

The Region II Best Warrior Competition is an intense four-day competition that includes the top soldier and noncommissioned officer from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia.

The candidates go through challenges such as an appearance board, the Army Physical Fitness Test, marksmanship qualification, a 6-mile ruck march, an obstacle course, land navigation and various warrior tasks. These events are meant to test knowledge, problem-solving abilities and physical stamina, with the best of the best in the region striving for the top spot.

The winners of regional competitions go on to the national competition; the winners at the national level go on to compete in the Army-wide competition, said Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Beyard, the senior enlisted leader for the Maryland National Guard.

Beyard and Command Sgt. Maj. Kim Mendez, the Maryland Army National Guard command sergeant major, both won soldier of the year when they were junior enlisted soldiers and were at the competition to provide moral support for Cullum.

Although Cullum did not win at this level – an NCO from Pennsylvania and a soldier from West Virginia did – his involvement in the competition allowed him to prove his soldier abilities as the face of the Maryland Army National Guard. Just participating in the event can have a tremendous positive impact on that soldier’s career.

“When you go out there and you represent the organization and better yourself, there should be something attached to it that helps you with your career,” Mendez said.

Cullum said that being in the spotlight at these competitions and working so hard to be competitive is something he hopes will motivate others to strive for the same.

In Hoffman’s case, his hard work – showcased in the spotlight – has directly impacted his career.

“Competing in these competitions has helped me progress my leadership and warrior skills,” Hoffman said. “As far as winning or being competitive for the Best Warrior Competition, it gets you out there. It shows that you worked hard. I think it showed my command that I deserve to get a chance and I don’t think I’m going to let them down.”

In the end, Hoffman’s career progression was more important than participating in the region competition.

Beyard told Hoffman, “I’m sad that you can’t compete, but I’m happy that you’re going to fulfill your career plans.”

Cullum said he hopes his experience and his determination will encourage others to step up in the future.

He said: “Hopefully, other people will see that and it will motivate them to do the same.”