 My goal was to win. He's unconscious. I can really do anything that I put my mind to. The mind is a powerful tool I figured out. If I just believe it, it can happen. Private First Class Matthew Hicks is a calling specialist assigned to the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. He and three other soldiers recently participated in the battalion's second annual Best Warrior competition. This determined the unit's non-commissioned officer and soldier of the year. This year, the battalion put together a series of events to make the competition just like the expert soldier batch test, a new initiative the Army implemented in 2019. The four warriors demonstrated individual soldier skills at each station with their squad sponsors observing. PFC Hicks killed it, he rocked it, we did excellent. We're going to win this together. We're there to motivate them and to keep them focused, keep them on track, let them know not to give up. In addition to the sponsors, a group of soldiers from different sections in the unit came up to motivate and cheer on the competitors. These soldiers within the battalion understand that this is important to build great teams of teams to build that competitive spirit. The 20-year-old Hicks was the youngest participant in the competition. He said he was always a curious kid and always eager to take on challenges while growing up in Indiana. Hicks said he has always believed in himself and is determined to bring his goals into fruition. If I want it, then I'm going to have it. It's mine. Being a soldier is the perfect opportunity and I'm very willing to put myself out there to protect the people, to serve the people because that's what I'm called to do and that's what I'm good at. My goal is to be an example to others. So by doing that in the best warrior competition, I'm being an example soldier for all those around. Following the competition, the battalion held an awards ceremony during which they announced the two winners. Sergeant Nian Nguyen won NCO of the year and Hicks won Soldier of the Year. I am super proud of our summer awardors that this event will continue to go on as I know it will continue to make the battalion just that much better and just that much stronger. Reporting for U.S. Army Corps in Japan... It is the same! I'm Aya, that's a joke.