Awards presented in Army competition involving Brooksville soldier

Private First Class George Smith, of Brooksville, competed against 23 soldiers from around the world to be named the U.S. Army’s top soldier in the U.S. Army’s Best Warrior Competition this week in Fort Lee, Va.

Smith, a Unit Supply Specialist assigned to D Company, Third Military Information Support Battalion (Airborne) in Fort Bragg, N.C., ran rigorous tests during the competition, designed to challenge a soldier’s Army skills, qualities, and abilities in every aspect, according to Tiffancy McCall, spokeswoman for the event.

Following the week-long event, Spc. Adam Christensen, of Las Vegas, was named Soldier of the Year, and Sgt. 1st Class Jason J. Manella, of Fremont, Calif., was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

The awards were presented Friday at an award ceremony at Fort Lee attended by competitors’ close friends and family members.

“Winning amongst the entire Army, including the active duty and National Guard, proves all soldiers are competent no matter which component they belong to or train in,” Manella said in an interview with the U.S. Army.