You will be able to witness first-hand how these 20 Warriors, representing 10 U.S. Army major commands, will test their skills and knowledge against not only themselves and each other but against Army standards in today's contemporary operating environment.

The Warriors for Soldier of the Year will include the ranks of Private through Specialist. The Warriors for NCO of the Year will include the ranks Corporal through Sergeant First Class.

These Warriors will face rigorous tests that challenge their Soldier skills, qualities and abilities in every aspect. The Warriors will take the Army Physical Fitness Test consisting of push ups, sit ups and a two mile run and with the opportunity to maximize their score in each event; a written examination on general military topics; fire M-16 rifles for qualification; negotiate day and night land navigation courses; and be evaluated in a number of critical Warrior Tasks and Skills. In addition, the Warriorrs must write a graded essay on an assigned topic.

The Warriors will also face selection boards in front of their Army peers. Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston will chair both the Soldier and NCO selection boards, and the two boards will each be comprised of six senior command sergeants major from throughout the Army. The boards will evaluate each Warrior ’s appearance, military bearing and knowledge in a number of key areas. The winners will be announced in Washington D.C. on Monday, October 9 at the Association of the United States Army luncheon hosted by SMA Preston.