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FORT LEE, Va. — Staff Sgt. Devin Jameson always wanted to be a soldier while growing up.
He had the opportunity to make his dream a reality in 2006 when he got the greenlight from his wife to enlist in the Utah Army National Guard. Since then, he has found recognition for his efforts. He represented the National Guard during the U.S. Army Best Warrior competition from Oct. 6-9, competing for the title of Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Jameson is currently assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 640th Regiment at Camp Williams. Utah National Guard public affairs officer Lt. Col. Steven Fairbourn said he was proud to have Jameson represent Utah at the Best Warrior competition. Another warrior represented the National Guard for the the Soldier of the Year title.
“These are two individuals that have been weaned down from the over 350,000 soldiers currently serving in the National Guard,” he said. “They’re competing all-Army wide, so you’re really talking the creme de la creme.”
Jameson, who described himself as a competitive person, embarked on the path to the Best Warrior competition after his battalion master volunteered him for a competition eight months ago.
“He asked me if I wanted to compete and I didn’t feel like I could say no,” he said. “It started back then at the company level and went up from there — multiple competitions, progressing at each level — and it culminated last week at the Department of the Army’s competition.”
The competition lasted for four days, with warriors being tested on Army aptitude, military bearing, urban warfare simulations, drills and both physical and written exams, among other tasks.
Ultimately the title of NCO of the Year went to Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Carpenter, a Special Forces Engineer sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Carson, Colorado. However, Jameson said he learned a tremendous amount from the Best Warrior competition.
“I had a lot of training and a lot of support from all my leadership,” he said. “I was amazed at how many resources they provided. Individuals who were experts in the different areas I was going to be tested on set aside time to train me and teach me about all of the stuff I wasn’t very familiar with.”
Jameson said his favorite part of the competition was participating in the physical events. He especially enjoys shooting and using various weapons systems. Countless hours were spent preparing for the competitions.
“That was my job for a few months there, just physically training and mentally training,” he said.
On Jameson’s background page for the competition, he wrote that he learned resiliency the hard way after dropping out of school following the ninth grade and living on the streets. He said he wanted to be a health care specialist in the military so he could help people in their greatest time of need.
