Aggie and Army Reserve Spc. Mark Nichols of College Station was one of 25 left standing after competing in the Reserve's Noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior Competition."

The four-day competition at Fort McCoy, Wisc., started with 33 reservists vying to win top honors for a non-commissioned and a junior enlisted man in order to advance to the national level at the Department of the Army's Best Warrior Competition in Fort Lee, Va.

Nichols said getting to the point of the competition was a lengthy process. Although he didn't win, he said, he learned a lot about himself and his limitations.

"It's been pretty tough, and it's almost kind of frightening because you are competing with all these other really outstanding people," Nichols said. "I've been to my limits physically."

Sgt. Maj. Troy Falardeau said each soldier who made it to Fort McCoy had been through at least two other competitions.

Spc. David Obray of Winona, Minn., was named the top junior enlisted man. The top non-commissioned officer was Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez of San Fernando, Calif. The two will go on to compete against others, including active duty Army and the Army National Guard.

Soldiers were tested on their knowledge and how well they performed in pressure situations.

Events included battle drills, day and night navigation, M-4 rifle weapons qualification, timed written exam and a sergeant major board appearance.

"One day they woke up at 4 a.m. and didn't even get to go to bed until about 1 a.m.," Farlardeau said. "Then they had to do it all over again."

Nichols said soldiers have to prepare themselves physically and mentally for a broad area of subjects.

Nichols, 23, is with the 1st/158th Aviation Unit in Conroe and will graduate from A&M with a degree in aerospace engineering in December.

He joined the reserves two years ago because he said he felt compelled to serve his country.

"I just wanted to get involved," Nichols said.

• Selena Hernandez's e-mail address is selena.hernandez@theeagle.com.

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